April 19, 2023
Agency
Reducing Fire Risks On Farms
If a farm is your livelihood, you likely understand how important it is to protect your property. A variety of different incidents can impact your agricultural business. If you have proper farm insurance, you’ll likely have many resources to help you recover from damages.
The list of potential fire sources on farms is long. Furthermore, agricultural fires could impact valuable products — many of which are flammable. Therefore, a blaze could easily lead to massive financial losses.
Reducing Fire Risks on Farms
Though you may have fire coverage in your farm insurance policy, take steps to reduce fire risks on the property. 
Doing so reduces your insurance risks. It also will help insurance honor your claim in case of a fire. If you reduce fire risks beforehand, the less chance you have of insurance denying a claim because negligence led to the damages.
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Take a walk around your property. Identify areas that may pose fire risks. If you notice a fire risk, do your best to rectify the problem.
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Learn the appropriate ways to knock out agricultural fires. Remember, dousing a fire in water may not be the safest way to intervene. Safety courses can tell you how to subdue different sources of fire.
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Keep emergency fire intervention materials on hand. These may include fire extinguishers, water pumps, and sand buckets. Remember, it will likely take time for fire services to reach your farm. Fast intervention can help contain small fires before they become out of control.
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Secure fertilizer, fuels, and any other agricultural materials. These items are very flammable. Keep them in safe areas, away from sparks and sources of heat or contaminants.
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Maintain your machinery. Always operate these items appropriately, and store them away from flammable materials. Check your machinery for signs of leaks or sparks.
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Inspect your farm’s electrical systems. Every wired building and utility poses a fire risk. Check these areas thoroughly for frayed wiring, sparks, leaks or other potential problems. Also make sure that water sources don’t come in contact with electricity.
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Keep livestock away from fire risks. Inspect stables for risks like electrical shortages, open flames, and flammable items.
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Dispose of all flammable items appropriately. Don’t mix materials, and isolate disposal areas away from working areas.
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Take care of your land. Wildfires pose just as potent a risk as man-made blazes. Obey burn bans and water conservation initiatives. Store items that you produce in safe areas using established mechanisms.
With proper safety, you can reduce fire risks on your farm. Doing so can help you pose less risk to your farm insurance policy. It can also help you maximize benefits when accidents do occur.
We’ve got you covered. By working with Akin and Associates, Inc., you can get a farm insurance policy that meets your needs. Call us at (256) 355-8500 and for a free farm insurance quote.