Winter Fire Safety tips for the Stables
With the long dark and cold winter nights there will always be the temptation to
introduce portable and temporary heating appliances to the inside of buildings that do not normally have heating arrangements.
The only safe type of heaters are those that are fixed at high level, are provided
with suitable guards to the heating elements and do not create heat by way of live flame, or incandescent electrical coils.
Ideally, heaters that produce a 'Black' heat should only be used. The practice of using summer LPG gas fired patio heaters
should not be considered.
On inclement weather days when the farrier arrives to carry out hot shoeing, he
should not be permitted to work inside buildings unless he has a clear and clean working space free from all combustibles
and on a concrete floor.
The temptation to reduce the amount of combustible rubbish by burning should be
resisted. However, if absolutely necessary, restrict any burning to daylight hours, and then only well away and downwind of
any buildings, barns or outside combustible storage. Extinguish the fire completely
as darkness falls.
Dark winter months are also attractive times for the arsonist to strike. Carry out or review your arson risk assessment and secure or remove all readily accessible
combustibles - solids, liquids and gases. Make sure that you secure all buildings and vehicles at night.
Stay safe for the winter months.
Harry Paviour
Riding Safely
adds – before burning any waste check with your local Environmental Health Officer that you're allowed to do so.
Also make sure that your fire risk assessment assesses and controls the additional risks created by your winter heating requirements. Particularly vulnerable areas include tack rooms where heaters are often introduced
and used during the winter months.
