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Tips to Prevent Fire DamageBy Kentucky Equine Research Staff · February 15, 2010
Barn fires numbered well over 1000 in each year from 2002 to 2005, according to the National Fire Protection Agency. Some tips to prevent fire damage:
- Electrical appliances are the leading cause of barn fires. Heating lamps, bucket heaters, and space heaters should be monitored when in use, and should be unplugged when no one is in the barn.
- In a study of 250 horses killed by lightning, almost half were killed not by a direct strike but by a barn fire caused by lightning. Contact local fire protection officials to find out whether properly installed lightning rods would protect your buildings.
- Fire extinguishers should be installed at both ends of the barn, and should be inspected and serviced regularly.
- Fire drills should be planned and carried out. Walking through a fire drill will point out any gaps in the plan. Are halters and lead shanks hanging by each stall? Is there more than one way out of the barn? Is there a safe, secure paddock where horses can be turned out?
