Just read something that made me really think. A small child had fallen into a septic tank. Besides it soundin so gross and horrible, it is life threatning even if the child is recovered quickly and not drown. The chances of survival are almost zero! According to this article -out of 8 ? that had fallen in over a period of time only this one had survived. The dr. had told the parents the chances of survival were --none. After much prayer the next day the child was ok. This was taken from the "Covenant" magazine of JDM.org, current issue. The point I'm making, besides a little preachin, is-children are curious little boogers and we need to be extremely careful when those little dudes are crusin around the farm. Make sure ALL hazardous locations are "off limits" to'm. A very small opening may not be big enough for an old duffer's big stinkin foot but most certainly is big enough to allow a small body to slip through. Besides the stinkin job of cleanin up the little guys, if they survive the "soup", it is a very serious matter to be subjected to all the diseases associated with these accidents.

It's also an excellent idea to watch out for'm when runnin farm equipment, vehicles etc. Make sure they are safe BEFORE startin up equipment. So what if you're a few minutes later than normal. Take an extra walk around the vehicle-check and KNOW where they are FIRST! I don't think there is anything any more devestating that attending a funeral for a little guy. Think about it for a spell and then make sure they are safe. While you're at it---GIV'M A BIG HUG! Matt. 24:44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), September 21, 2000

Answers

Hoot:

Old hand dug wells which were just covered up with boards can be a major problem even for adults. One of my former bosses live in am established subdivision. His and neighbor's kids ran all over the yard. One day he noticed a depression. Turned out to be one of these wells. Current owners may have to talk to old timers in their neighborhood about the possibility of a covered over well. If found, they should be filled in with gravel.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), September 21, 2000.

I read in the national news yesterday where a 3 year old (I think in North Dakota) had had both arms severed in a grain auger....

I'm the first one that feels farm kids NEED to work on the farm and there are TOO many governmental rules and regulations about not allowing kids to work in lots of areas...but accidents like that just gives the government more foder for more rules....

Kids are precious and they can be out of eyesight and into something terrible in seconds!!! Let's everybody watch their little ones a little more carefully today!!!! and tomorrow!!! and the next day!!!

-- Suzy in 'Bama (slgt@yahoo.com), September 21, 2000.

Cannot tell you how many Amish funerals I went to in the last 6 years due to foolishness/lack of common sense around the farm..2 year olds fallen down hay holes on their heads because they were playing up top in the barn,school aged kids kicked in the head by mules because the mules were not tied...etc...worst funeral was father and 3 year old son...little boy fell down between drain grate in the barn and ended up in the manure pit which was a good 4 feet deep.he treaded in the stuff for about two minutes until dad jumped down to save him..dad did not bring a rope, or have anything to grip at all..in less than 10 minutes, they were both dead of methane asphyxiation..horrible..I'm not picking on the Amish..these were my patients, my friends, and my neighbors...It was so very sad..Good for you Hoot to remind us all that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure...God Bless...

-- Lesley (martchas@gateway.net), September 21, 2000.

So, true-to all the posts! I can especially relate to Ken's, if you move into an old neighborhood (my old house had been built around 1875), ask alot of questions! When we had a new septic system dug, the former 'outhouse' hole was uncovered! Nothing more than a few boards covered with a few inches of dirt and grass- and it was directly below 'home plate'! The neighbor in the back remembered when the outhouse was there, and never thought to mention it. Jog those memories!

-- Kathy (catfish@bestweb.net), September 21, 2000.

It's not just kids. I know 2 women who are widows because of chainsaw accidents. Both men were pruning trees. The first man lost control of his saw, it kicked back, and caught him in the head. His family was there to get him down but weren't able to get him the medical attention he needed quickly enough. The second man had gone out alone and somehow cut a femoral artery. He bled to death in minutes. When he was late for lunch, his wife sent their then 13 year old son to get him. How's that for a last memory of your dad? I don't know if protective clothing would have helped save either man. I don't insist on many things regarding my husband's activities but when it comes to chainsaws and other potentially dangerous tools, he uses protective clothing, whatever safeguards are recommended and I go with him even if I'm just there to clean out his shop or take knitting while he works. Life's too short and he's too precious to me. We celebrated our 26th anniversary yesterday and I want to enjoy many more with him.

-- marilyn (rainbow@ktis.net), September 22, 2000.

For what it's worth, if you find one of these abandoned wells, either use it for irrigation, or maybe fill it with clay, rather than gravel, as clay will better protect your aquifer from surface water running down the hole.

JOJ

-- jumpoffjoe (jumpoff@echoweb.net), September 22, 2000.

We have a three year old little boy and our rule on the farm and in the house (which is still under construction) is that someone, preferably an adult, ALWAYS has the CON (like control of the ship). This way there's much less likelihood of an accident involving the little one. You never leave the room or yard without taking him with or without telling your partner and receiving confirmation that "Hey, you've got the CON !/?". Same goes when we have company, a responsible adult is always designated for each child. Takes a few worries off our minds and makes life much more enjoyable for everyone.

-- Rose Marie Wild (wintersongfarm@yahoo.com), September 23, 2000.

I am also a real safety nut and am very aware of situations that can be hazardous. I think it comes from working most of my career at a Shipyard which has a lot of hazards. Safety was drilled into us even though we worked in the office. Anyway, one of the rules hubby and I had about chainsaws was that he could only use it when I was home. Since the sawing he was doing was just around the house, I could hear what was going on when I was in the house. If I heard the saw stop or running just in idle, I would look out the window to make sure he was okay. Since our property was all wooded, neighbors would not have seen him had he been alone and something happened. Since we both were volunteers on the local ambulance squad, we were very aware of what could happen with a chainsaw. Luckily, he never had an accident and since we just have pastures at our new property, we no longer use the chain saw. It is a very scary piece of equipment and unfortunately, if it kicks back, you cannot react quick enough to get out of the way. Protective gear and paying attention to what you are doing are an absolute necessity.

-- Colleen (pyramidgreatdanes@erols.com), September 25, 2000.

yes just take time to think we are usualy to desperate to get our work don on time and that is what causes most of the acidents /and trying to be to cheep and riggig what we think might work a tractor tire wired on rather than a new tire and wore out brakes cost a man his life 30 years ago his relitives shure enjoyed the money he was so tight with.NOW i want to remind everyone to check thier heating system before the weather gets cold .lots of people will be trying to use wood stoves that havent been used since the 70S if fuel prices rise just make shure there is a good chimly and the stove works right keep good clearance from wood and other burnable building parts,have an extinguiser handy and mabey chimly flares if you get a bad chimly fire and clean the chimly out now and frequently.oh and by the way smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are realy cheep !

-- george darby (windwillow@fuse.net), September 27, 2000.