Safety Fact Sheet Helps Horse Owners Prevent Winter Barn Fires

Preventing horse barn fires
Preventing horse barn fires Flickr.com - Rob Swystun

Newsdate: Fri, January 12, 2018, 10:00 am
Location: LEXINGTON, Kentucky

Winter weather often takes a serious toll on horse owners across North America. Barn and stable fires have been a serious cause of injury and death to hundreds of horses while costing hundreds of thousands in property damage and losses in past years.

Horse barn fire safety

Horse barn fire safety

Each year, winter barn and stable fires cause injury, death, property damage and untold misery to horses and horse owners across the country.

The Equine Risk Management Group (ERMG), a safety-risk management education organization located in Lexington, Kentucky, has created a valuable educational checklist and information resource for barn and farm managers to aid in the prevention of barn and stable fires.

The free Barn Fire Safety Fact Sheet is a 9 page pdf document that can be easily downloaded from the ERMG website by going to the heading Check-Lists - Disasters - Fire Danger.

Nothing is worse than the unsuspecting killer that lurks in every horse barn and stable during the winter: the space heater, heat tape, portable hot water heater, and faulty electrical box.

Based on a study conducted by the National Fire Prevention Association, defective or improperly used heating equipment is the number one cause of barn and stable fires. The same report indicated that 46% of barn and stable fires occur between the hours of 7pm and 7am, during the night and outside of the watchful eye of stable management.

When this data is linked to the fact more barn and stable fires occur during the months of January, February and March, it speaks volumes about the extra care horsemen need to use during the winter months.

The Equine Risk Management Group suggests a pro-active program of fire prevention including weekly self-inspections of all electrical equipment used in the barn. And yes, don’t forget to have a fire escape - emergency evacuation plan. Such plans make a difference if all staff and personnel know what to do in case of an emergency. Barn fires can happen to all barns and stables when it is least expected. So, the solution is very simple, be prepared.

About Equine Risk Management Group

Equine Risk Management Group LLC was founded by professional horsemen, Wayne G. Hipsley, BSc, MSc, and Joe Carr, BSc, AFIS, for the purpose of providing the horse industry an excellent resource for safety-risk management in all phases of equestrian activities.

Based in the horse capital of the world, these professional horsemen have years of experience and knowledge in the agricultural – horse insurance industry, equestrian accident investigation and prevention, and practical experience in horse farm management and operations. 

One of the missions of the Equine Risk Management Group LLC is to promote and provide quality safety-risk management educational programs through DVD’s, manuals, and presentations at horse related meetings.

About the Author

Flossie Sellers

Author picture

As an animal lover since childhood, Flossie was delighted when Mark, the CEO and developer of EquiMed asked her to join his team of contributors.

She enrolled in My Horse University at Michigan State and completed a number of courses in everything related to horse health, nutrition, diseases and conditions, medications, hoof and dental care, barn safety, and first aid.

Staying up-to-date on the latest developments in horse care and equine health is now a habit, and she enjoys sharing a wealth of information with horse owners everywhere.

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