Post by pamz on Mar 9, 2009 10:47:55 GMT -5
Hang no smoking signs in several conspicuous spots in the barn and be sure to ENFORCE the rules!
Always have a halter and leadshank hanging outside of each horse's door. That way if there is a need to move a horse in a hurry, you won't have to go hunting for a halter in an emergency, in the dark, etc. This is actually good, not just for fire, but for general safety issues. I know some places don't. For instance, at one local barn, they have one spot on the wall in each barn where they hang all the halters. What happens if you're in a hurry and you grab a pony halter for a warmblood? Not good. A lead rope can be fashioned into a quick halter in an emergency or you can try to lead them out by a rope around the neck, but IMO, nothing beats a properly fitting halter for control of a frightened horse.
Is there more than one exit? It always makes me cringe when I go into a barn that only has one door to go in and out of. What if there is a fire between you and the door?? If there is more than one door, DO THEY BOTH OPEN!? Often, especially in the winter, only one door gets shoveled out so that you can open and close it. Lots of people don't bother to clean out a second entrance, but it could be a lifesaver in an emergency.
Next, make sure the place is clean. Cobwebs, stray hay, loose papers, empty feed bags, anything like that is always a fire hazard in any situation, not just in a barn.
Are light fixtures protected or unbreakable? Bare bulbs are at risk of getting broken and sparking, potentially starting a fire.
If the barn uses heated buckets, is the wiring able to handle it? When we built my barn, we put only two stalls on each circuit so as not to overload them when I have buckets plugged in. I have enough juice in each stall to run two heated buckets and the light without even coming close to the limit.
NO extension cords! They are an invitation to disaster in a barn, especially if they are used for something like heated buckets which will be running when no one is in the barn. If you see extension cords, especially more than one, RUN AWAY! Extension cords do have their place, such as for running clippers or for the vet, but as far as permanent use instead of proper wiring, it's a big NO NO!!
Numbers for the fire dept with the ADDRESS OF THE BARN on them should be posted in a few different spots. You would be amazed how many people either don't know the 911 address of the place that they board, or forget it in a panic.
Make sure there are WORKING fire extinguishers. I have one at each end of the barn, in the aisle. Check that the arrow is in the green, otherwise it's useless. They should be ABC rated which means they will work on any type of fire, wood, electrical, grease.
Have in place a fire emergency plan and make sure everyone in the barn is aware of it. This should specifically include where to put the horses if you have to get them out. If left loose, a frightened horse will often run back into it's stall, where it feels safe. Make sure anyone who is a regular at the barn knows where to put the horses so that they can be accounted for and kept safely confined.
Always have a halter and leadshank hanging outside of each horse's door. That way if there is a need to move a horse in a hurry, you won't have to go hunting for a halter in an emergency, in the dark, etc. This is actually good, not just for fire, but for general safety issues. I know some places don't. For instance, at one local barn, they have one spot on the wall in each barn where they hang all the halters. What happens if you're in a hurry and you grab a pony halter for a warmblood? Not good. A lead rope can be fashioned into a quick halter in an emergency or you can try to lead them out by a rope around the neck, but IMO, nothing beats a properly fitting halter for control of a frightened horse.
Is there more than one exit? It always makes me cringe when I go into a barn that only has one door to go in and out of. What if there is a fire between you and the door?? If there is more than one door, DO THEY BOTH OPEN!? Often, especially in the winter, only one door gets shoveled out so that you can open and close it. Lots of people don't bother to clean out a second entrance, but it could be a lifesaver in an emergency.
Next, make sure the place is clean. Cobwebs, stray hay, loose papers, empty feed bags, anything like that is always a fire hazard in any situation, not just in a barn.
Are light fixtures protected or unbreakable? Bare bulbs are at risk of getting broken and sparking, potentially starting a fire.
If the barn uses heated buckets, is the wiring able to handle it? When we built my barn, we put only two stalls on each circuit so as not to overload them when I have buckets plugged in. I have enough juice in each stall to run two heated buckets and the light without even coming close to the limit.
NO extension cords! They are an invitation to disaster in a barn, especially if they are used for something like heated buckets which will be running when no one is in the barn. If you see extension cords, especially more than one, RUN AWAY! Extension cords do have their place, such as for running clippers or for the vet, but as far as permanent use instead of proper wiring, it's a big NO NO!!
Numbers for the fire dept with the ADDRESS OF THE BARN on them should be posted in a few different spots. You would be amazed how many people either don't know the 911 address of the place that they board, or forget it in a panic.
Make sure there are WORKING fire extinguishers. I have one at each end of the barn, in the aisle. Check that the arrow is in the green, otherwise it's useless. They should be ABC rated which means they will work on any type of fire, wood, electrical, grease.
Have in place a fire emergency plan and make sure everyone in the barn is aware of it. This should specifically include where to put the horses if you have to get them out. If left loose, a frightened horse will often run back into it's stall, where it feels safe. Make sure anyone who is a regular at the barn knows where to put the horses so that they can be accounted for and kept safely confined.
