Working smart and riding safe on ATVs: Grinnell Mutual promotes National Farm Safety and Health Week

Is your family safe and supervised on all-terrain vehicles (ATVs)? The staff of Grinnell Mutual and your local Grinnell Mutual agent believes it's a good question to ask during National Farm Safety and Health Week, September 19-25. Because ATVs are far from children’s toys, the focus of National Farm Safety and Health Week is ATVs: Work Smart. Ride Safe.

In 2008, ATVs accounted for 410 reported deaths nationwide. It’s estimated that 135,100 injuries related to ATV accidents were treated in emergency rooms (http://www.atvsafety.gov/stats.html). Teaching and practicing safety habits will prevent your family from becoming a statistic.

Golden rules of ATV safety

The ATV Safety Institute, which provides hands-on and online ATV safety courses, teaches the eight golden rules of ATV safety:

1.  Always wear a helmet or other protective gear.
2.  Never ride on public roads – another vehicle could hit you.
3.  Never ride under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
4.  Never carry a passenger on a single-rider vehicle.
5.  Ride an ATV that’s right for your age.
6.  Supervise riders younger than 16; ATVs are not toys.
7.  Ride only on designated trails and at a safe speed.
8.  Take an ATV RiderCourse.sm

How well does your family follow the golden rules of ATV safety? Remember, children under the age of 16 should never operate an adult-sized ATV (90cc or greater) and children under the age of 12 should not operate ATVs. To sign up for an ATV RiderCoursesm, call toll-free at 800-887-2887 or go to http://www.atvsafety.org/.

Before you drive

ATVs are powerful tools for farm and yard work. Using attachments will affect the stability, operating, and braking of the ATV. Remember to explain this to new drivers. Before using an ATV, take time to inspect it.  The National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS), the agricultural division of the National Safety Council, recommends inspecting for the following:

  • Are tires and wheels in good condition?
  • Are the controls and cable operational?
  • Does the chain have proper slack and is it lubricated?
  • Is riding gear (including a helmet) available and worn?

By enforcing safety rules with your family and wearing the proper gear (helmets, goggles, gloves, over-the-ankle boots, long-sleeve shirts and long pants are recommended), your family can enjoy an ATV. It’s that simple. Remember: work smart, ride safe.

For more information please visit your local Grinnell Mutual agent or visit grinnellmutual.com.

Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company, with headquarters in Grinnell, Iowa, has been in business since 1909 and provides reinsurance and property and casualty insurance products for home owners, farm owners and business owners through nearly 1,600 independent agents in 11 Midwestern states. The company is the largest primary reinsurer of farm mutual companies in North America.