S-N Editorial

Safety is something many of us take for granted. We have video cameras at our front doors, our vehicles remind us when to buckle our seat belts, and our cell phones alert us of any rain cloud within a 100-mile radius.

Still, danger lurks. Nowhere is that more evident than for our area farmers.

With harvest season looming, we're reminded to be extra careful during National Farm Safety and Health Week. The event runs Sept. 17-23 and raises awareness about the many dangers farmers face in their day-to-day jobs.

Nearly all of us know someone who's been injured while farming. Tragically, most of us know people who've died. Those connections aren't just anecdotal – the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a rate of 23 work-related deaths per 100,000 workers in the agricultural industry. That is seven times higher than the national average for workers in other professional sectors.

In the face of such grim statistics, the Iowa Farm Safety Council has released a helpful list of tips for farmers this harvest season. The council suggests: Cautiously approaching field adjustments or repairs; taking precautions to avoid slips and falls; making smart decisions while assigning tasks to youth; using and maintaining the slow moving vehicle emblem correctly; and retrofitting tractors with rollover protective structures. It's also important to get adequate sleep and nutrition, because maintaining a balanced diet and getting quality sleep are essential to keeping you going during harvest. They might seem like no-brainers, but utilizing these tips could go a long way as we charge into the 2023 harvest season.

Like most things, safety is a two-way street and farmers are by no means the only ones affected by ag-related accidents. Drivers on rural highways and gravel roads should take extra precaution when traveling around northwest Iowa by being aware of slow-moving vehicles like tractors, combines and semis. Always give them space and slow down when approaching these vehicles, because accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. Cars and small trucks don't match up favorably with huge farm equipment.

Shared byways and highways bring up another important point. If you have young drivers, remind them more than once to be on the lookout when they're on the road this fall. A little nudging can go a long way in avoiding an accident or even death. They're new to driving and it's vital they take the same safeguards as the rest of us.

We hope everyone uses extra caution this fall while in the fields and on the roads. Harvest season is a busy and exciting time, and it's easy to get distracted or rushed. Be alert, drive smart and be careful out there. But most of all, have a safe and bountiful harvest – tragedy always strikes when you least expect it.