the watcher
Well-Known Member
Apologies if this has been posted before, I have just had it by email from Hants Horsewatch and there are some very good pointers from Hampshire Fire and Rescue-
Hampshire Fire & Rescue Specialist Animal Rescue
The HFRS rescue team were at the New Forest Show with their impressive display. They asked if Hampshire Horsewatch could help in any way. Steve Kitcher the owner of www.nfed.co.uk intends to add a new section to the web site very soon with safety tips and advice from the rescue team, but until then please pass on the following advice from their leaflet.
THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT AND USEFUL INFORMATION.
IT COULD SAVE LIVES
HOW CAN YOU HELP US TO HELP YOU?
Display your house/farm sign clearly at the entrance. This will help emergency vehicles locate you quickly
Find out where your nearest fire hydrant is and keep it clear. Hydrants in the country often become obscured by undergrowth. Water supplies are essential to protect your home and business
Have you got extra water supplies such as tanks and ponds? Are they readily accessible if a fire occurs?
Can fire engines reach all parts of your property? Fire appliances can be tall and heavy. Can your cattle grids support lorries? Have you cut back trees along tracks to allow access?
Have you identified fire hazards and taken steps to reduce the risk of a fire occurring? Taking time to look at what could start a fire and reducing the likelihood of a fire occurring will be time well spent.
If your animals are in a field, display a sign with the post code and emergency numbers.
ANIMAL EVACUATION PLAN
Thousands of animals perish every year in fires. Animals in distress pose a huge risk to emergency responders and owners alike. Most livestock see their pen or stable as their safe haven and are reluctant to leave during a fire. Experience shows that many when released, will make every effort to return. A fire in a stable can cause fatal injuries in just 4 minutes.
Have an animal evacuation plan and practice it
Have a method for alerting family or staff to a fire
Ensure animals can be released quickly
Pre-plan a safe and secure refuge for them to be taken
Make sure all gates open towards the refuge to allow a clear path to safety
Horses are unpredictable and temperamental. Added precautions should be taken.
A head collar should be hung next to each stable
Allow horses to spend time in different stables so they get used to being led into strange environments
Desensitise horses to firefighters by inviting them to join in with your evacuation procedures
Practise in daylight and darkness
CHILD SAFETY
Rural establishments are an exciting playground to a child, but pose a huge safety risk - as 35 deaths and over 400 serious accidents to children in the last 10 years show. Like no other industry, farms and stables are homes as well as workplaces and it is the responsibility of land owners to control the hazards or reduce the likelihood of children coming into contact with danger.
Lives or livelihoods lost in tight-knit rural communities affect everybody, not just the direct families. In financial terms, accidents in 2005 cost the country £343 million. In human terms however, the loss of a loved one cannot be compensated for.
Dont wait for it to happen - prevent it now.
For further details or to download the leaflet, go to: http://www.hantsfire.gov.uk/animalrescue
Hampshire Fire & Rescue Specialist Animal Rescue
The HFRS rescue team were at the New Forest Show with their impressive display. They asked if Hampshire Horsewatch could help in any way. Steve Kitcher the owner of www.nfed.co.uk intends to add a new section to the web site very soon with safety tips and advice from the rescue team, but until then please pass on the following advice from their leaflet.
THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT AND USEFUL INFORMATION.
IT COULD SAVE LIVES
HOW CAN YOU HELP US TO HELP YOU?
Display your house/farm sign clearly at the entrance. This will help emergency vehicles locate you quickly
Find out where your nearest fire hydrant is and keep it clear. Hydrants in the country often become obscured by undergrowth. Water supplies are essential to protect your home and business
Have you got extra water supplies such as tanks and ponds? Are they readily accessible if a fire occurs?
Can fire engines reach all parts of your property? Fire appliances can be tall and heavy. Can your cattle grids support lorries? Have you cut back trees along tracks to allow access?
Have you identified fire hazards and taken steps to reduce the risk of a fire occurring? Taking time to look at what could start a fire and reducing the likelihood of a fire occurring will be time well spent.
If your animals are in a field, display a sign with the post code and emergency numbers.
ANIMAL EVACUATION PLAN
Thousands of animals perish every year in fires. Animals in distress pose a huge risk to emergency responders and owners alike. Most livestock see their pen or stable as their safe haven and are reluctant to leave during a fire. Experience shows that many when released, will make every effort to return. A fire in a stable can cause fatal injuries in just 4 minutes.
Have an animal evacuation plan and practice it
Have a method for alerting family or staff to a fire
Ensure animals can be released quickly
Pre-plan a safe and secure refuge for them to be taken
Make sure all gates open towards the refuge to allow a clear path to safety
Horses are unpredictable and temperamental. Added precautions should be taken.
A head collar should be hung next to each stable
Allow horses to spend time in different stables so they get used to being led into strange environments
Desensitise horses to firefighters by inviting them to join in with your evacuation procedures
Practise in daylight and darkness
CHILD SAFETY
Rural establishments are an exciting playground to a child, but pose a huge safety risk - as 35 deaths and over 400 serious accidents to children in the last 10 years show. Like no other industry, farms and stables are homes as well as workplaces and it is the responsibility of land owners to control the hazards or reduce the likelihood of children coming into contact with danger.
Lives or livelihoods lost in tight-knit rural communities affect everybody, not just the direct families. In financial terms, accidents in 2005 cost the country £343 million. In human terms however, the loss of a loved one cannot be compensated for.
Dont wait for it to happen - prevent it now.
For further details or to download the leaflet, go to: http://www.hantsfire.gov.uk/animalrescue