FIRE: Prevent

• Prohibit smoking in or around the barn.

• Avoid parking tractors and vehicles in or near the barn.

• Store other machinery and flammable materials outside the barn.

• Inspect electrical systems regularly and immediately correct any problems.

• Minimize electric wire eating rodents like squirrels, mice, and rats.

• Keep appliances to a minimum in the barn.

• Be sure hay is dry before storing it.

• Identify alternate water and power sources.

• Secure or remove anything that could become blowing debris.

• Label hazardous materials and place them all in the same safe area.

• Remove old buried trash—a potential source of hazardous materials during flooding that may leach into crops, feed supplies, water sources and pasture.