Farmers urged to focus on fire prevention as part of winter prep

By Brian Crews, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

Every year, farm fires result in tens of millions of dollars in losses to buildings, businesses and farm animals; and the financial losses don’t take into account the toll on farm families.

Fire is always a threat on Ontario farms, but the good news is that there are ways to reduce the risk the pose. Barn fires in particular are a serious concern, especially during colder winter temperatures.

That’s because cold weather increases condensation on cold surfaces, and the corrosive mixture of barn gasses and moisture invades the electrical system. The increased use of heating equipment also poses risks of ignition with gas heaters, for example.

Regardless of time of year, though, some of the biggest fire risks in farm buildings come from dust and cobwebs, extension cords and heaters, and electrical plugs, receptacles and panels.

The increasing size and high-tech nature of modern farm facilities, including livestock barns, also mean losses are higher when disaster strikes – according to Ontario Fire Marshal statistics, those range between $20 – 30 million annually.

That’s why, earlier this year, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture began partnering with the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs to share resources and promote fire safety and prevention on Ontario farms.

I’m a dairy farmer just north of Trenton, and I also represent farmers in Hastings, Lennox & Addington, Northumberland and Prince Edward counties as a director on the board of the OFA.

Fire prevention is a 365-day-a year job, but as we are working to get our farms ready for winter, it’s a great time to put a little extra effort into protecting our businesses.