FARMSAFE Australia has called on farmers to keep children off quad bikes.
With National Farm Safety Week beginning yesterday, Charles Armstrong, chairman of Farmsafe Australia, said parents needed to be "proactive, and take steps that we know can protect our future farmers."
Mr Armstrong said one of these steps was to keep children under 16 away from quad bikes.
"Last year we had two children killed, and this year we have had a further two.
"Put simply, the risk is not worth it, as kids don't have the physical size, strength, coordination and emotional maturity to safely operate such a dangerous piece of equipment."
Mr Armstrong said an appropriately sized two wheeler was a safer option for children.
Not allowing children visiting the farm access to quads was also important, he said.
Further information on child safety on farms can be found at www.aghealth.org.au.
See Thursday's edition of The Land for more on farm safety.
