FARMERS and their families have been asked to prioritise their health and safety as we pass through the midwinter period.

Connacht IFA Chair, Pat Murphy, said that sometimes farmers could neglect their own ‘health basics’ as they went about their daily tasks on the farm.

“One thing I would advise people to do – based on my own personal experience of the past year – is to get into the habit or routine of having regular blood checks carried out by your local GP.

“I have particular reason to be grateful for having such tests carried out earlier this year – you can be feeling perfectly well but a blood test can spot at an early stage a problem health condition,” said Pat Murphy.

He said that while most farmers would always ensure that their machinery and vehicles were serviced and in good working orders, sometimes they weren’t as careful as regards their own health.

“It’s an old saying but it’s a very true one, that your health is your wealth, and really the advice is to go for your regular check-ups and blood tests – they can be a life saver at the end of the day,” said Pat Murphy.

He also said that farmers should be conscious of the dangers of the winter season which could vary from the icy conditions of earlier this month to periods of wind and rain.

“Sometimes too, we can all be a bit careless about leaving things lying around the farmyard of sheds. In the darker conditions, these can lead to trips and falls, and the possibility of bone fractures or bad sprains.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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