Aging farmers should exercise special caution or they raise their risk of permanent injury or even death through their work activities, warns a UC Davis researcher. "For example, farmers need to be more aware of skin cancer risks," says Bill Steinke, a Cooperative Extension farm safety specialist at UC Davis. "Recent health-care studies suggest that many older farmers not have taken precautions over the years to protect their skin from sun exposure." Another risk is hearing loss due to noisy equipment and machinery, which may prevent older farmers from hearing danger warnings involving animals or equipment, he says. And, because farmers in the 55-to-65-year-old age group tend to be involved in greater numbers of fatal tractor accidents, Steinke suggests that those farmers who drive older-model tractors have a seat belt and roll-over-protection bar installed on their units. He encourages older farmers to remain active, but to do so only upon doctor's advice. Discussions with family members may also help reveal subtle changes in a farmer's health that he or she may not be aware of personally.