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Emergency Plans for Visitors

Guests are unfamiliar with farm hazards. A short welcome briefing and a clear plan keep them safe and help you respond quickly if something goes wrong.

Why do visitors need a plan of their own?

Visitors, including customers, school groups and family friends, may not know where hazards are or what to do in an emergency. Children may wander toward animals, equipment or water. Seasonal events can bring many people at once, so plan for peak days and not only for quiet ones. Consider how many staff you need to supervise crowds safely.

A plan sets expectations for guests and gives your staff clear roles. It is part of caring for the people you invite onto the farm.

Many guests will be children, so speak at a level they understand and ask adults to stay close. Set rules on hand washing and animal contact with advice from your local health department.

What should a welcome briefing cover?

Give a short talk when guests arrive. Show the visitor area, the restrooms and the exits, and point out areas that are off limits. Say who to find if someone needs help.

Keep language plain and friendly, and repeat the main points at the start of each activity. Add signs for people who arrive late or do not hear the briefing.

Make sure guests understand that farm paths can have vehicles, animals and uneven ground. Mark walking routes and keep traffic and visitors separate when possible.

• Where visitors may and may not go
• Where to gather in an emergency
• Who is in charge and how to find them
• Rules for children and animals

How do we keep visitors away from hazards?

Use fences, barriers and signs to keep guests away from machinery, manure storage, grain bins, ponds and chemical storage. Do not rely on signs alone, and assign staff to supervise busy areas. Walk the visitor route yourself before each event, and look for loose boards, slippery surfaces, open gates and stored chemicals.

Ask your insurance agent and extension office about farm visitor safety guidance, and check local rules that may apply to public events or agritourism, since they vary.

Check whether your event requires a permit or a plan by contacting your county or state agriculture office. Requirements differ and this guide does not state them.

What roles do staff and volunteers play?

Name a person to call 911, a person to meet responders at the entrance, and a person to look after the group. Make sure each person knows their role and has a phone.

Train staff and volunteers on the plan before the season starts. Hands-on first aid and CPR training is available from the American Red Cross and other recognized providers.

Keep a first aid kit and a phone at the main gathering place. Know where the nearest AED is, if there is one, and who is trained to use it.

• One person calls 911
• One person meets responders
• One person looks after the group
• Everyone knows the gathering place

How do we plan for children and people with special needs?

Make sure parents and teachers understand the rules and stay with their children. Count heads at arrival and before leaving. Keep information about any special needs private and use it only to help the guest.

Plan for guests who use wheelchairs, have hearing or vision loss, or need extra time. Ask them in advance how you can help, and make sure your exits and paths work for everyone.

Share the plan in clear language and in the languages your guests speak. Give extra attention to those who may not be able to hear the announcement.

What if there is an emergency with guests present?

Call 911 first, then follow your plan. Move guests to the gathering place and keep them away from the scene. Keep a list of who is present, and tell responders about any injuries.

Do not give guests information about an injured person's identity or condition. Let responders handle communication and use plain, calm language.

Afterward, offer to help families get home safely, and follow up with anyone who was hurt or upset.

How do we review and improve?

After each event or season, talk with staff about what worked. Update the plan, signs and briefing, and ask your fire department for advice.

Keep a written record of any incidents and near misses. See the incident documentation article for more.

Ask staff for suggestions, because those who greet guests every day often notice problems before anyone else.

• Debrief with staff
• Update signs and briefings
• Record incidents and near misses

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