It’s the time of year when lambing starts to take place on a lot of farms.
Heat lamps used to keep the lambs warm are necessary but, mixed with energetic and inquisitive young and flammable bedding, they can be a fire risk
Farmers are therefore recommended to follow these top tops:
- Make sure heat lamps are clean and in good working order, with guards in place.
- Make sure they are secured to something solid, using chain not twine, and preferably not to the pen itself.
- Make sure they are out of reach of all animals in the pen.
- Keep heat lamps a safe distance from flammable materials.
- If using extension leads, make sure they are fully uncoiled, in good condition, and not overloaded or daisy chained.
- Make sure your electric supply and fuse board are in good condition.
- Have appropriate fire extinguishers nearby.
- Try to keep flammable materials such as straw to a minimum in areas where heat lamps are being used.
- Download a location app such as What3words or Ordnance Survey Locate so you can give a specific location to the emergency services.
- Make sure everyone at the farm knows what to do in the event of a fire. Carry a mobile phone at all times, especially if working alone.
- Make sure you have an animal evacuation plan for your livestock in the event of a fire.
Take a look at www.dwfire.org.uk/fire-risks-on-farms for more safety advice.