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It’s a satisfying sight to see the first combines of fall hitting the fields, ushering in a season of anticipation and excitement as the farmer’s year-long labors lead to production.

With harvest time just a few weeks away, it’s smart to take a few minutes to make sure your combine is in safe operating order.

Combine and tractor fires reportedly generate more that $10 million in property losses a year.

"There are steps you can take now to prevent or at least minimize the risk of a combine fire," said Doug Landphair, loss control manager for Nationwide Agribusiness Insurance. During the rush of harvest, it may be tempting to forego some of these precautions. But Landphair said if you take a few minutes to consider their importance now, you may be more likely to remember their value to your safety later.

Some of the pointers that Landphair advises:

• Clean the engine compartment and exhaust system daily. Perform even more frequent cleanings when combining in periods of heaviest operation. Compressed air is an effective way to clean out the chaff and dust. A high-pressure washer is also an effective method of cleaning caked-on grease, oil and hydraulic fluids.
• Perform a daily inspection before operating the combine. During the inspection, pay close attention to hoses, fuel lines, belts, fittings and wiring. If you detect leaks or damage, replace the damaged parts before operating.
• Never bypass overload protection, such as fuses and circuit breakers. Inspect the wiring and switches routinely to detect potentially unsafe conditions within the combine’s electrical system.
• Always follow the recommended maintenance procedures and make sure parts are adequately lubricated. Vibration and friction create heat and can provide a potential ignition source.
• Promptly clean off crop residue from the cooling system as needed to ensure the engine won’t overheat and increase the risk of fire.
• Never smoke during fueling procedures. Clean up any fuel spills before starting the engine.
• One of the most important precautions: Always maintain at least one 10-pound, multi-purpose fire extinguisher mounted on the cab. Keeping two units on board is ideal, with the second one stored in an easily accessible location. The extinguishers must be effective on type A, type B and type C fires. (An "ABC" extinguisher that contains either Halon 12111 or monoammonium phosphate is most effective.

"Another good idea is to be sure that operators carry a cell phone or two-way radio with them at all times," suggested Landphair. "That way, if there is a problem, they can call for help."

Nationwide Agribusiness Insurance is the farm and agricultural arm of the Nationwide group of companies. Together the Nationwide companies insure more farms than any other group in the United States.