Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
• Put horses in an enclosed area or tie them to a safe, strong post so they cannot return
to the barn or race around, endangering firefighters.
• Keep all entrances clear of vehicles and equipment, as well as the areas surrounding
the fire.
• Once all horses and humans have been removed, reduce the oxygen to the fire by
shutting all the windows and doors. Move all equipment and machinery. Protect
nearby structures by hosing them down and soaking the base area of the buildings
as well.
• During all of these procedures, be sure all children are kept away. Without fully un-
derstanding the dangers of a fire, a child may reenter a barn to save a pony or horse
(which may have already been removed from the barn) and be overcome by fumes
or smoke. Fumes and smoke, not fire, cause most fire fatalities. Resist the tempta-
tion of going back into any part of the barn to get your favorite trophy or saddle.
Fire Hazards
• Electrical appliances, including heat lamps, space heaters, and fans
• Flammable liquids such as kerosene, gasoline, paint, pesticides, cleaning agents, and
fertilizers
• Excessively long grass surrounding the barn
• Trash and manure stacked against the barn
• Dirty, dusty light fixtures, fuse boxes, and switches
• Hay stored in the barn, especially too close to light fixtures
• Poor ventilation in the hayloft
• Tractors and other machinery stored in the barn
• Any clutter that would make your property inaccessible to fire trucks
Safeguards
Test fire detectors monthly.
Check fire extinguishers every 6 months.
Recharge fire extinguishers as needed or, at a minimum, every 6 years.
Stage regular fire drills.
Diagram your barn so that in case of an emergency, you or any other person in the
vicinity will be able to act as quickly and efficiently as possible. On the diagram,
plot your barn's floor plan. Include the location of exits, the fire alarm, fire extin-
guisher(s), utility shut-offs, first-aid equipment, and equine inhabitants. Also keep
