Kidsafe Victoria has launched their ‘Farm Safety Creative Competition’, a new program designed to engage Victorian primary school aged students in learning about potential injury hazards that exist in farm environments, in a fun and interactive way.

As part of the campaign, children are encouraged to unleash their creativity to design educational messages and materials including videos, posters, illustrated stories and radio ads, around the theme ‘Reducing Harm on the Farm’.

Statistics from the Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit (VISU) reveal that in 2018/19, 388 children aged 0-14 years were treated in hospital as a result of a farm related injury – approximately 7 children per week.

Data also reveals that child injury related death rates in outer regional areas of Victoria are four times that of rates for children in major cities.

Jason Chambers, General Manager of Kidsafe Victoria, highlighted the unique environments and injury hazards that exist for children on farms.

“Because farms typically combine the family home and an industrial workplace, children can be exposed to a wide range of hazards that aren’t present in urban home environments”, said Mr Chambers.

“Common injury hazards for children on farms include vehicles (e.g. tractors, motorbikes and quad bikes), animals, water hazards (e.g. dams, rivers, creeks and animal drinking troughs), machinery and poisons.”

The winning competition entries will be utilised as part of a statewide child farm safety awareness campaign aimed at Victorian parents and carers. Children and schools who submit a competition entry by Friday 27th November will also have the opportunity to win a range of prizes.

“The campaign provides children with an opportunity to take an active role in developing and promoting farm safety messages, while also facilitating important discussions about farm safety amongst their peers, families and wider communities”, said Mr Chambers.

For more information on farm safety and Kidsafe Victoria’s Farm Safety Creative Competition, please visit https://www.kidsafevic.com.au/home-safety/farm-safety-creative-competition/

The Farm Safety Creative Competition is proudly supported by the Victorian Government’s Smarter, Safer Farms Program.