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Fencing Off Dangerous Areas

Fences are one of the most dependable ways to separate children from hazards. They work all day, they do not get tired, and they do not forget.

Which areas should be fenced first?

Start with the hazards that could cause the most serious harm. For most farms that includes ponds and other water, manure storage, grain bins and silos, chemical storage, machinery yards and any steep drops.

Rank them by how serious the harm could be and how easily a child could reach them. The first fence should go around the most serious hazard that is easiest to reach.

Your extension office can help you think through the order, and some farm safety programs offer checklists. Do not be discouraged by the size of the list. A farm walk-through often finds many items, and steady progress over a season or two makes a real difference.

• Water, including ponds and ditches
• Manure pits and lagoons
• Grain bins and feed storage
• Chemical and fuel storage
• Machinery yards

What makes a good barrier?

A good barrier is tall enough that a child cannot climb or squeeze through it, has no gaps at the bottom, and is solid enough to withstand leaning and pushing. The latch should be beyond a child's reach.

Specific heights, spacing and materials depend on the hazard and on local rules. Get them from your extension office, a qualified fencing professional or your local authority instead of guessing.

Be careful with barbed wire or electric fencing near children. Ask a professional about whether these are suitable for your situation. If a professional is involved, ask them to explain how their design reduces the risk of a child climbing, squeezing under or opening the gate.

Why do gates matter as much as fences?

A fence is only as good as its gate. A gate left open turns a barrier into a trap, because everyone assumes the area is secure. Make gates self-closing and self-latching where possible, and make it a habit to check them.

Locks on doors, such as to chemical rooms, shops and bin entrances, serve the same purpose as gates. Keep keys out of children's reach and do not hide them in places a curious child can find.

Ask everyone on the farm, including visitors and workers, to close and latch every gate every time. A habit of locking up at the end of every work session is simple and effective. Pair it with a visible reminder on the door so it becomes automatic.

How do I fence water?

Water is a particular concern because a child can be in trouble quickly and silently. Barriers around ponds, ditches, stock tanks and pools reduce the risk, but they do not replace supervision.

Check what your county or state requires for pools and ponds, and ask your extension office about barrier options. The article on farm pond safety covers more.

Teach children to stay away from water unless an adult is with them. Water barriers sometimes need special design features, so check with your local authority on requirements before you build.

What about fences that keep livestock in?

A livestock fence is designed to keep animals in, not necessarily to keep children out of dangerous areas, and it may not stop a small child. If a livestock pen is also a play hazard, add a second barrier.

Keep children out of pens with large or unpredictable animals unless an adult is with them. See the livestock guides on this site for more.

Check livestock fences for damage regularly, since broken fences put animals and children together unexpectedly. If a fence must be shared with animals, ask an extension specialist about options that protect both animals and children.

How do I maintain barriers?

Add fences and gates to your seasonal walk-through. Look for sagging, rust, loose hardware, missing latches and gaps that appear after storms or animal pressure.

Repair the same week you find a problem. In the meantime, block access in a temporary way and tell everyone.

Keep a short log, even a note in your calendar, so that inspection actually happens. Weather, animals and age all wear fences down. Replacing a worn part early costs far less than discovering the weakness after an incident.

What if a child gets past a barrier?

Treat it as information, not only as a mistake. Ask how the child got in and fix that weakness. Then talk with the child calmly about why the area is off limits.

In an emergency, call 911 and follow the dispatcher. Learn first aid and CPR through a qualified provider such as the American Red Cross or your fire department. Share what you learn with neighbors. A child may visit several farms, and each fence helps.

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