Barn fires – How they happen and how you can prevent them

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by Scott Sellers

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Compassion – Let’s face it, the loss of a loved one is a terrible thing to have to endure. It doesn't matter whether it’s intentional, accidental or from natural causes, it’s still something none of us want to go through. The same goes for our family pets. It’s not uncommon for humans to grow very attached to our animals and treat them like family – dogs, cats and especially horses. We have taken on the responsibility of being their caregivers, feeding, housing and taking care of their well-being and safety.

Awareness – I’m sure that many of you are aware of some of the tragic barn fires that have claimed countless livestock and horses over the past several years, not only in the U.S., but worldwide. Two of these fires were profiled in the April issue of this magazine. Tragedies like those don’t just happen to other people, they happen to people like you and me and always when you least expect it. Here’s the truth. Almost all barn fires are preventable.

My name is Scott Sellers, President of Specialty Spray Systems in Atlanta, Georgia. We are in the business of protecting structures and its occupants from fire. It is my goal to increase awareness and educate you in how to not be a victim of a tragic and horrible barn fire.

June is barn safety month. Here are some things you should know. The facts: There is no such thing as a small barn fire. Whether it starts from electrical malfunctioning, lightning, an accident or arson, once a fire starts it almost always ends with a total loss of the structure. According to Don Fasion, head of equine insurance for the Markell Insurance Agency (Glenallen, Virginia) there are almost 5,000 barn fires every year in the U.S. The barns house between one and one thousand animals, and everything from horses to chicken to cows. I have read reports and seen video of a barn fire that killed more than fifty horses at one time. As if the heartbreak of having an animal you love lose its life that way weren’t enough, the cost can be astronomical. Horses can cost anywhere from a few thousand dollars to well over one hundred thousand dollars. Take an average times fifty and that’s a loss of more that two million dollars.

Most new barns can cost anywhere from under one hundred thousand dollars to well over a million. Then take into account the saddles, equipment and other items.

For more information and statistics on barn fires and the losses associated with them visit www .laurieloveman.com. She has numerous barn safety tips. She’s not only a horse-owner and -lover but she has done extensive work with fire officials to be prepared in a barn fire emergency.

If you are a farmer or if boarding and training horses is your line of work, then a barn fire can put you out of business. The cost associated with being shut down and rebuilding can sometimes be too much to come back from. What do you do to make sure you don’t have to go through that kind of loss? You educate yourself.

Education – If awareness is half the battle then education and implementation is the other half. You must first know what to do and then do it!

There are reactive and proactive people. Which are you? Reactive people respond to an event only after it has occurred. Then it is too late. Proactive people put things in place and plan on the worst before it happens, thereby drastically reducing or eliminating the chance of something happening at all. This is especially true when it comes to protecting your barn. Ask yourself right now, what safety measures do I have in place? What is my plan in the event of a fire? I challenge you to ask yourself some tough questions and look honestly at your situation.

Scott Sellers is president of Specialty Spray Systems in Atlanta, Georgia. Contact him at 404 680-9822 or sellers.sss@gmail.com.e

Provided by Horse’n Around Magazine