| A tradition of service is the basis on which Fairmont Farmers Mutual Insurance Company was built. Fairmont Farmers Mutual has provided quality insurance products to meet the needs of our policyholders since 1889. As a local company, we are able to know the needs of our policyholders and agents and respond quickly to those needs. All of our decisions are made with you, the customer, in mind. Our purpose is to provide quality products and service in a professional, responsive and ethical manner at all times. |
NEWS HOME INVENTORY CHECKLIST <<< click to open list (watch for our next newsletter [coming soon] for related article)
FARM SAFETY - Play it Safe on the Farm
Farm life seems peaceful and safe, but the family farm can be very dangerous – especially for children. Because your family’s safety is all-important, do everything you can to ensure your farming operation is safe.
CHILD SAFETY
Thousands of children are injured on farms each year and approximately 100 are killed. There are many things you can do to protect children on your farm, such as:
· Don’t let children play on farm equipment – the farm is not a playground.
· Take children on a tour of the farm and point out dangerous areas.
· Establish a “no extra rider” rule for all farm machinery – especially tractors. No seat means no rider!
· Give children age-appropriate tasks – remember kids are not small adults. Provide children with
proper safety training for each job.
Equipment Safety – Top 10 Tractor Safety Tips
1. No extra riders allowed.
2. PTO equipment should be properly shielded.
3. Equip tractors, combines, and towed trailers with a SMV (Slow Moving Vehicle) sign.
4. Install handrails and grips to prevent an operator from falling from the platform.
5. All tractors should have ROPS (Roll Over Protection Structure) and riders should wear
a seatbelt.
6. Before using a tractor, perform a complete safety check.
7. Always let a hot engine cool before refueling and never fuel a tractor indoors where fumes can collect.
8. Keep front-end loader buckets as low as possible during transport to prevent tipping.
9. Never hitch a load higher than the tractor drawbar and use weights to increase tractor stability.
10. When finished – lower hydraulic equipment, set the parking brake, turn off all electrical switches and
remove the key.
Fireproofing Your Farm
A rural fire can be far more serious than where there is a fire department nearby and an adequate supply of water for fighting fires.
· Almost all fires start small. Install smoke detectors in homes. Place fire extinguishers in your home
and farm buildings and on your tractors and combines.
· In the event of a fire, call the fire department immediately.
· Learn how to properly extinguish a fire, but know when you cannot control a fire.
· Develop a fire exit plan for the home and each farm building.
· Equip all major buildings with UL approved lightning protection systems and surge arrestors.
· Inspect your electrical wiring to avoid dangerously frayed or exposed wiring.
· Keep areas clean and tidy. Store flammable liquids at least 40 feet from buildings.
· Heat lamps should be well-supported and located at least two feet from combustible materials.
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