Animals: Preventing Barn Fires

Have you done everything to prevent and prepare for barn fires?

Prohibit smoking in or around the barn areas
Restrict access to your barn, and keep it clean and free of debris
If possible, store hay and bedding in another building
Make sure electrical wiring is up to code
Install lightning protection and have fire extinguishers on hand
Install heat or smoke detectors, and barn sprinklers
Restrict tractor and motor vehicle use in the barn
Plan an evacuation route and practice fire drills. Include your livestock and desensitize them to flashlights and flashing lights
Post emergency numbers at each telephone and at each entrance
Invite the local fire department over to identify hazards

In the Event of a Barn Fire:

Immediately call 911
Use fire extinguishers if the fire is manageable.
Do not enter the barn if it is already engulfed in flames
If it is safe for you to enter the barn, evacuate animals one at a time starting with the most accessible. Be sure to put a halter and lead rope on each when you open the stall door.
After the fire, be sure to have all your livestock checked by a veterinarian. Smoke inhalation can cause serious lung damage and respiratory complications.

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