Farm Stay Safety Guide: Essential Tips for New Zealand Farms

**General Animal Interaction Safety:** - Always approach animals calmly and quietly - Never run or make sudden movements near livestock - Speak softly and move slowly - Never corner or chase animals - Respect animal space - they need escape routes - Wash hands thoroughly after touching any animal **Cattle Safety:** - Never get between mother cows and calves - Bulls are dangerous - avoid completely unless with experienced farmer - Dairy cows generally docile but can kick during milking - Beef cattle more wary and protective of calves - Never approach cattle from behind - Watch for defensive body language (head lowering, pawing ground) **Sheep Safety:** - Generally safe but rams can be aggressive, especially during mating season - Ewes with newborn lambs may be protective - Sheep panic easily - avoid blocking escape routes - Hooves can injure if sheep feel threatened - Move sheep slowly and calmly **Horse Safety:** - Approach from front or side, never directly from behind - Speak to horse before touching - Watch for ears back (warning sign) - Stand beside, not directly in front or behind - Never walk behind horses within kicking range - Only ride with host permission and under supervision **Dog Safety:** - Farm dogs are working animals, not pets - Never distract dogs while working - Ask before patting farm dogs - Working dogs may be protective of property - Teach children to respect working dogs **Poultry:** - Roosters can be aggressive - give them space - Hens generally safe but may peck if feeling threatened - Watch for broody hens protecting eggs - Some geese are territorial and aggressive

**Machinery Hazards:** Farm machinery is the leading cause of farm accidents. - NEVER approach operating machinery - Stay clear of tractors, harvesters, and farm vehicles - Never allow children on machinery without host permission - Machinery has blind spots - ensure operator sees you - Never play on or around parked machinery - Respect barrier tape or cones around equipment **Water Hazards:** - Farm dams, troughs, and irrigation systems - Supervise children near all water - Dams can have steep sides and slippery banks - Swift-flowing farm streams dangerous - Ask about swimming safety before entering water - Check for hidden hazards (rocks, debris, currents) **Height and Fall Risks:** - Hay lofts and barn heights - Farm ladders may be old or unstable - Slippery surfaces (wet concrete, mud, manure) - Uneven ground and holes - Rock walls and fences - Never climb structures without permission **Chemical and Environmental Hazards:** - Agricultural chemicals (fertilizers, pesticides) - Fuel storage areas - Silage pits (dangerous gases) - Effluent ponds (slippery, toxic) - Avoid all chemical storage areas - Don't touch or move any chemical containers **Gates and Fences:** - Electric fences common on farms - Test for electricity before touching wires - ALWAYS close gates behind you (critical rule) - Secure gates properly - animals escaping is serious - Barbed wire fences can cause injury - Report damaged fences to hosts

**Age-Appropriate Activities:** **Under 5 Years:** - Constant adult supervision required - Only approach gentle animals (chickens, bottle-fed lambs) - Keep away from machinery, water, and cattle - Petting zoos and feeding suitable - Never allowed near working dogs or bulls **Ages 5-10:** - Close supervision near animals - Can participate in feeding, egg collecting - Teach proper animal approach techniques - Limited participation in gentle farm activities - Keep away from machinery and bulls **Ages 11+:** - More independence with clear boundaries - Can participate in most farm activities with supervision - Teach emergency procedures - Reinforce safety rules - More responsibility for younger siblings **Teaching Children Farm Safety:** - Explain why rules exist (don't just say "no") - Practice proper animal approaches - Set clear boundaries (areas, activities) - Teach hand washing importance - Explain gate closure critical importance - Demonstrate electric fence detection - Role-play emergency scenarios **Child-Specific Hazards:** - Attractive nuisances (machinery, hay bales, water) - Small body size makes them less visible to animals and machinery - Less risk awareness than adults - May not recognize danger signs in animals - Tendency to run and make sudden movements - Curiosity about dangerous areas **Setting Boundaries:** - Designate safe play areas - Establish off-limit zones clearly - Create visual boundaries children understand - Regular check-ins with children - Whistle or phone for communication - Buddy system for older children

**Know Before You Go:** - Location of first aid kit - Emergency contact numbers - Nearest hospital/medical center location - Farm address for emergency services - Host phone numbers - Location of AED if available **Common Farm Injuries:** - Cuts and scrapes (fences, machinery) - Animal kicks or bites - Falls from heights - Sprains and strains - Allergic reactions - Heat exhaustion - Electric fence shocks (minor but startling) **First Response:** 1. Ensure scene is safe before helping 2. Call for help immediately for serious injuries 3. Administer first aid if trained 4. Notify farm hosts immediately 5. Keep injured person calm and still 6. Don't move seriously injured persons **Emergency Services in Rural Areas:** - 111 is NZ emergency number (police, ambulance, fire) - Provide exact farm address and location details - Meet ambulance at farm entrance if possible - Rural response times longer than urban (15-45 minutes) - Some farms have emergency helicopter landing zones - Cell coverage may be limited - know landline location **Farm-Specific Emergency Scenarios:** **Animal Attack:** - Remove yourself to safety - Seek medical attention for bites, kicks, or trampling - Report incident to hosts - Document injuries **Machinery Accident:** - Don't approach operating machinery - Turn off machinery if safe and trained - Call emergency services immediately - Protect injured person from further harm **Allergic Reactions:** - Bee stings, animal dander, hay/pollen common allergens - Carry EpiPens if you have known allergies - Inform hosts of allergies upon arrival - Seek immediate help for severe reactions

**Pre-Existing Conditions:** - Inform hosts of serious medical conditions - Ensure adequate medication supply - Know nearest pharmacy location - Discuss activity limitations with hosts - Carry medical alert information **Allergies:** - Animal dander, wool, hay, pollen common on farms - Inform hosts of allergies when booking - Bring antihistamines - Consider farm environment compatibility - Some farms have cats, dogs, or other pets **Zoonotic Diseases (Animal to Human):** - Leptospirosis (from livestock urine) - Campylobacter (from farm animals) - Toxoplasmosis (from cats, sheep) - Giardia (from contaminated water) **Prevention:** - Wash hands thoroughly after animal contact - Don't touch face while on farm - Use hand sanitizer between hand washing - Avoid drinking untreated water - Keep cuts covered - Pregnant women should avoid sheep during lambing **Sun Safety:** New Zealand sun is intense: - SPF 50+ sunscreen - Wide-brimmed hats - Sunglasses - Seek shade during peak hours (11am-3pm) - Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours - Cover up with long sleeves when possible **Insurance Recommendations:** - Travel insurance covering farm activities - Check policy exclusions (some exclude farming) - Adventure activity coverage if participating in mustering, horse riding - Medical evacuation coverage for remote farms - ACC covers accidents in NZ but not all costs - International visitors should have comprehensive travel insurance