Fall is one of the nicest seasons weather-wise, and with the cooled-down temperatures, it’s one of the best times for people to take their family and spend some time outside. Hayrides are a favorite fall activity for many families! Hayrides often happen around Halloween time, where kids and parents alike can ride on hay through open pumpkin patches or experience a fun, haunted adventure riding on the back of a tractor. If you are thinking of throwing a hayride this year, there are some precautions you’ll want to take in order to keep everyone who is participating safe. Hayrides are known as being good clean fun, but you’ll want to prepare in order to make sure there are no injuries and that everyone is protected in the case of an accident.
You’ll want to take several safety precautions when preparing for your hayride. First, choose a route that never encounters a real road, and make sure it is free of hazards. The best place to have a hayride is on open farmland where you can scout out a path for the tractor and hay and make sure there are no unexpected bumps or obstacles in the way. Second, make sure that the vehicle the hayride participants will be riding on is safe and secure. Make sure it has rails that are high enough so that no one can fall out of the “rack” (where the hay is held), even when riding over a big bump in the farmland. Riders falling from the rack risk injuries or broken bones from hitting the ground; there is also the added risk of being run over by the vehicle pulling the hay if the driver is not aware of the faller. Rails will help prevent falls, as will setting a strict limit on the speed at which the ride can go. Also, make sure you always have supervision in the rack at all times, and do not allow riders to stand up at any point. All of these precautions will ensure that everyone stays safe as the ride moves forward.
Despite taking all of the above safety precautions, you will still want to purchase a liability insurance policy to make sure you are covered in case of a very rare accident or emergency. Many insurance companies offer short-term liability policies, which will cover medical and emergency expenses in case someone is injured during the hayride and provide coverage only during the time the hayride is happening. If you own the land or equipment that the hayride is taking place on, you will also want to make sure your equipment is covered by a farm equipment insurance policy. Making sure your tractor, truck or rack is covered in case of accidental damage caused by a rider or the ride itself ensures that you won’t have to pay money to repair your equipment. If you have liability insurance to cover the participants and property insurance to make sure that all of the equipment is covered, you can guarantee fun and relaxed fall festivities.
If you want to throw a festive fall-themed event this year, give us a call at 580-772-7101. We can give you all the information you’ll need to have regarding safety and Oklahoma insurance for farms, hayrides and more!