Farm Fire Safety

Each year in Canada, there are approximately 800 fire-related deaths. Many of these occur on farms. Fires on farms pose a special threat because most farmers are far from fire-fighting equipment and lack the water needed to extinguish fires. The economic and personal losses are severe and proportionally higher than those from fires in urban areas. Safety Rules

• Never permit smoking in barns or near any flammable materials.
• Never refuel engines inside a building or while the engine is hot or running.
• Avoid spontaneous combustion in hay by ensuring that it is properly dried before putting it in the barn.
• Ensure that all electrical installations and wiring are inspected and approved by the hydro authority.
• Only burn rubbish in an incinerator equipped with a spark arrestor. The incinerator should be located 30 meters from any major buildings.
• Attach lightning rods to all major buildings.
• Equip crop dryers with controls that will automatically shut off blowers or dampers when they get too hot.
• Label and store pesticides in a separate building.
• Never store fuel inside a building.

Fire-Emergency Procedure

1. When a fire breaks out in a house or farm building, everyone must be evacuated from the building immediately. Normal exits may be blocked, so you must have emergency exits.
2. Close all the doors and windows as you escape the fire; failure to do so may cause air drafts which will fan the fire.
3. When everyone is out of the building, call your local Fire Services Department. Give them your name, address and the exact location of the fire.
4. Never allow anyone to re-enter a burning building.