More grain, more risk: Nominate first responders for lifesaving grain rescue tools

Grain Bin Safety Week is Feb. 15-21, 2026 - Nominate your local fire department through April 30

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More grain, more risk: Nominate first responders for lifesaving grain rescue tools

Des Moines, IA - Grain bin entrapments continue to pose very serious dangers to farm workers across rural America. New USDA datashows 2025/26 was a record year for corn production, with more than 17 billion bushels harvested nationally. At the same time, corn stockpiles are expected to reach their highest level in eight years, creating an even greater need for proper storage and management of grain.

"With significantly more corn in storage, we're already seeing a concerning rise in grain bin entrapments across the country this year," said Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide. "Nationwide remains committed to preventing these tragedies by equipping local first responders with the life-saving rescue tools and training they need. While we're incredibly proud that these resources have helped save 16 lives since 2014, including a recent rescue earlier this month in Missouri, we know there is still more work to be done."

To raise awareness and help prevent these accidents, Nationwide has opened its 13^th annual Nominate Your Fire Department Contest in recognition of Grain Bin Safety Week.

Startling facts: Injuries & fatalities from grain bins*

• In 2024, at least 34 grain entrapments were documented - a 25% increase from 2023.
• There were 584 documented entrapments between 2007 and 2024. It's estimated an additional 30% of cases go unreported.
• In four seconds, an adult can sink knee-deep in flowing grain and be rendered unable to free themselves without assistance. In just 20 seconds, an adult can be fully engulfed.
• 100% of grain bin entrapments are preventable.

Grain Bin Safety Week continues to make an impact: February 15-21, 2026

Nationwide initiated its annual Grain Bin Safety campaign in 2014 to raise awareness of the dangers of working in grain bins and promote a zero-entry mentality. Grain Bin Safety Week, which takes place Feb. 15-21, 2026, brings a national spotlight to the issue each year.

A key component of Grain Bin Safety Week is the annual Nominate Your Fire Department Contest,which aims to supply fire departments across rural America with the specialized rescue training and equipment needed to respond if an entrapment occurs. Since 2014, Nationwide and partners have awarded 452 grain rescue tubes to first responders across 35 states - providing over $2 million in resources in partnership with local sponsors.

The Nominate Your Fire Department Contest is now open until April 30, 2026. Learn how to nominate your local fire department here.

Nationwide works closely each year with the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) to deliver both the rescue equipment and hands-on training.

"Rural fire departments are often the only line of defense when an entrapment occurs," said Dan Neenan, director at NECAS. "It's critically important to ensure these first responders not only have the specialized rescue equipment, but also the training needed to respond effectively. NECAS is proud to join Nationwide and its partners to make a difference."

For more information about the program or the nomination process, visit www.GrainBinSafetyWeek.com. For anyone who would like to get involved or sponsor a rescue tube in your area, visit the Grain Bin Safety Week donations page.

Grain Bin Safety Week is made possible by the following generous partners:

• Central Valley Ag
• CHS
• David Larson Insurance Services
• Delaware Farm Bureau
• Delaware Soybean Board
• Gregerson Salvage
• Growmark
• Horizon Farm Credit
• Hummel Group
• Indiana Corn Marketing Council
• KC Supply
• Lutz Agency
• Maryland Farm Bureau
• MissouriCorn
• Nationwide
• NECAS
• New York Farm Bureau
• NOHR Wortmann Engineering
• Ohio Farm Bureau
• Pennsylvania Farm Bureau
• ProValue Insurance
• Specialty Risk Insurance
• Syngenta
• TrueNorth Companies
• Westside Salvage