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Emergency Plans for Children

Children live and play near real farm hazards. A plan made for their age, practiced often and explained kindly, helps them act when it counts.

Why plan specifically for children?

Children see the farm as home and as a playground. They may not recognize danger around machinery, animals, water and storage structures, and they may not know what to do if an adult is hurt.

A plan for children is about prevention, practice and a few clear steps. It is not about frightening them. Keep the tone calm and matter of fact.

Make practice a normal part of the day. Ask a child to show you where they would go if the siren sounded, and praise them for getting it right. Short, frequent practice works better than a long lecture.

What should every child know?

Teach children their full name, the farm address and how to call 911, at an age appropriate level. Practice with a toy phone or a phone with no connection, and role play what to say.

Teach them where the safe areas are, which places are off limits, and that they must tell an adult when something is wrong. Tell them it is always okay to call for help.

Younger children may need a simple card with the address and a picture of the phone. Older children can learn more detail, including what to do if there is no signal and how to find an adult nearby.

• How to call 911 and give the address
• Where the meeting place is
• Which areas are off limits
• Who to find in an emergency

How can we reduce hazards around children?

Create a safe play area away from machinery, animals, storage, water and traffic. Fences and gates help, but supervision is the main protection. Keep young children within sight of an adult.

The Progressive Agriculture Foundation and NIOSH publish child agricultural safety resources. Check with them and with your extension office for guidance on age appropriate tasks.

Water is a hazard that surprises many families, including ponds, ditches, tanks and irrigation. Fence what you can, and never leave young children near water without an adult watching.

What about older children and teens who help?

Match tasks to training and maturity, and do not assume that being raised on a farm means someone is ready. Check youth work rules with the U.S. Department of Labor and confirm there before assigning work, since rules differ by task and age.

Teens also need first aid and CPR training and a clear emergency plan. Encourage them to speak up if a job feels unsafe.

Many injuries to young people occur while they are doing jobs meant for adults. Discuss with your extension office which tasks fit each age and stage of development, and use official guidance.

How should children behave during an emergency?

Teach them to move to the meeting place, stay there, and wait for an adult. They should not go back for pets or toys, and they should not enter a hazard area to help someone.

Practice with fire drills, storm drills and a missing child drill, so each response feels familiar.

Include what to do if the adult in charge is injured: stay calm, call 911, give the address and wait for help in a safe place. Practice the words so they feel natural.

What do we do for guests' children and babysitters?

Give babysitters and relatives a card with the address, the emergency steps and contact numbers. Walk them through the farm rules before they are in charge.

Tell visiting children the rules on arrival, and keep them supervised.

Write down medical information, such as allergies and medicines, for any child in the care of someone other than a parent. Keep it with the contact list.

How do we talk with children afterward?

After a frightening event, children may be anxious or quiet. Listen, answer honestly in simple language, and keep routines steady. Reassure them that they did the right thing by following the plan.

If a child continues to struggle, talk with their doctor or school counselor. In the US you can call or text 988 for support, and call 911 in an emergency.

Children often copy how adults react. Staying calm and steady, even when you are upset, helps them cope. Keep bedtime and meals as regular as possible after an event. Local safety days, school programs and extension events are good places to find age appropriate lessons, and many are offered at low or no cost, so ask what is scheduled near you.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.