Supervision gets to be a real problem, for everyone. In most tragic situations, the youngster has been riding along for an hour or two when a tense moment develops for the driver. As his attention is diverted to what he is doing with the machinery, the youngster plays with the cab door. When it unexpectedly opens, the child falls from the cab and is run over. These accidents happen in a split second and don't allow time for the driver to react, Maher notes.
Toddlers move too fast to watch while driving a tractor or combine.
And it will be replayed many times in the mind of the driver for years to come. There are alternatives for baby-sitting. The choices aren't always easy, but it is always easier than reliving the tragedy that can otherwise result, Maher says. Because of the potentially extreme risk and painful result, the toddler should never be near the machinery. Keep the youngster at home under close supervision as usual.