Tractors are the top cause of fatal injuries for farm children; one family tells their story

Jaxon Boomsma at his fifth birthday party. 
He often said he wanted to be a farmer
when he grew up. (Photo provided)

Farming families often allow young children to ride along with an older relative on a tractor, but tractors are the number one cause of fatal injuries to children on farms. 

That's how the Boomsma family in Yankton, S.D., lost their 7-year-old son Jaxon in 2017. His parents and close friends of the family recently told their story to the National Children's Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety in an effort to bring awareness to the dangers of allowing children on farming equipment. The family has also launched the "Keep His Smile Alive" agricultural safety campaign and is active on social media. 

"I know how hard it is to say no to a child, especially when it’s something they love to do, but we all have to learn to say 'no,'" Jaxon's dad, Troy, told Scott Heiberger. "My dad loved taking the kids around the farm and creating memories with them. He had said 'no' a thousand times before and did everything he could to make the farm a safe and fun experience for the kids. Sadly, it only takes one time."

Heiberger shares several safety resources for those looking to write about tractor safety, including the Keep Kids Away from Tractors campaign and the Cultivate Safety website, which has agricultural safety information and resources for farmers, ranchers, supervisers and reports.