A variety of water hazards and attractive nuisances can be found on farms.

Water hazards may include natural features such as ponds, streams, lakes and rivers. Others may be artificial features built to prevent erosion, control flooding, used for irrigation or for recreation.

An attractive nuisance is a place or object on the farm that unintentionally attracts children, but also endangers their safety. Open pits, manure storage areas, stacked hay bales, ladders, grain bins, tools and equipment can all be attractive nuisances. However, many attractive nuisances are less obvious such as unfenced swimming pools and abandoned refrigerators.

Whether the hazard is due to some type of water or to attractive nuisances, steps should be taken to reduce the likelihood of a child being injured or killed by the hazard.

The “walkthrough” that follows will encompass some general water and attractive nuisance safety guidelines, and also provide links to useful resources.