Jennifer Jarvis, Stakeholder Communications and Marketing Advisor
Did you know?
Faulty electrical systems cause approximately 40 per cent of farm building fires with a determined cause, making it one of the leading known causes of farm fires.
What can you do?
Regular inspections and maintenance are key to reducing the risk of a fire. We recommend that you work with a professional to inspect and monitor your farm buildings.
- Have your buildings inspected and maintained regularly by a licensed electrical contractor.
- Develop a preventative maintenance and housekeeping schedule.
- Work with a professional to monitor the heat conditions of your buildings using infrared technologies.
- Work with your local fire department and insurance company to identify problem areas on your farm, and fix any problem areas identified.
- Have a plan ready to deal with any emergency.
- Train your family and employees on what to do if there is a fire. Make a list of who to call during and after a fire, and establish a safe meeting point.
Visit ontario.ca/preventfarmfires to find helpful resources, including:
- The Reducing the Risk of Fire on Your Farm book that examines the main causes of farm building fires and what you can do to minimize risks.
- A checklist to help you assess your farm’s fire risk.
- A link to the Farm Fire and Emergency Sketch web page that explains step-by-step how to create a sketch for your operation.
- Our Electrical Systems in Barns Factsheet that provides information on how an electrical system can start a fire, regulations and barn electrical maintenance practices.
- Links to different inspection, monitoring and extinguishing technologies, such as FLIR heat-sensing cameras, Cole-Parmer gas detectors and the DSPA 5 aerosol generator.
For more information and to suggest a different fire prevention device, technology or program that could be listed on our website, contact the Agricultural Information Contact Centre (AICC) at 1-877-424-1300 or ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca.
Visit ontario.ca/farmsafety for other resources and tips for keeping your farm safe.