With brush fires raging through parts of Australia, all horse owners need to assess their situations related to the possibilities of fires in their areas. The key to fire safety in all cases is to be prepared to act quickly and efficiently if a fire should occur in your area.
Fire threat to horses and humans
With brush fires raging through parts of Australia, all horse owners need to assess the possibilities of fires rushing through their areas, and the key to fire safety is planning and preparation.
© 2012 by Lisa Combest
The questions are: Are your horses at risk if there is a fire? How many could you save, and how would you do it, and would it put people at risk.
Most states have a fire services website that posts fire danger ratings and gives information about what to do in case of fires and has other helpful information about fire safety and organizations in the state that work to prevent fires and other catastrophes.
Horse owners should:
- Design a bushfire survival plan for your family, house, property and animals
- Consider microchipping your horses: this is a permanent method of ID
- Register horses in your PIC (property identification code) with the Department of Primary Industries in your state, so that the emergency services know you are there and what stock belong on your property
- Whether you stay or go: Prepare an emergency pack now, which includes: first aid for people and horses; a torch, food and water, blankets, fire resistant clothing, a portable radio with batteries, spare halters and ropes.
Determine whether or not you could move your horses in normal circumstances and think carefully and seriously about whether it would be possible to move your horses even if you were not faced with fire...then decide what you COULD do in an emergency.
- Do you have too many horses to move?
- Will you have to take some and leave some? Which will you take?
- Will they load easily onto your vehicles?
- Can it be done without putting people at risk?
Do you have a contingency plan if it is unsafe or unwise to move your horses?
Work out the safest place at home to put your horses, if you cannot take them with you, but you must leave. Are you prepared for this? Does your family understand the consequences?
- If you must leave your horses on your property Prepare them the best you can by
- removing rugs, halters: or anything which might burn.
- Put them in areas with minimal vegetation.
- Leave internal gates open.
- Do not put horses in confined areas - i.e. avoid stables, or small yards.
- Do not release your horses on to roads: they will put others at risk and be in more danger themselves
If you expect to move your horses, CONSIDER: Traffic on the roads: what route will you take? Have you thought about road blocks in and out of the affected areas? WIll you be able to get in to your horses? Take them out?
Where you will go? Do not depend on the ‘authorities’ to provide the a safe location. Arrange for somewhere to go well in advance
Have you considered the value of human life against the value of your horses? It is always more important to put your own safety before the safety of your horses!