Fires very quickly spread from tree to tree in dense forest. Taking some of these precautions will keep you and your family safer, as well as your home, before the evacuation crews order you to leave:
A getaway bag will help: Keep some of your most important belongings in a bag near the front door, so that you can grab it and go if you need to evacuate quickly. If one of your family members is not home when disaster strikes, you will be able to gather up what is important for them as well. Copies of your important documents, and life saving prescription drugs should be included in your bag. It would make this tough time easier if you have toiletries and electronics ready to go as well.
Important Data: Back up your data on an external hard drive automatically, so that if you need to leave in a hurry, you can just grab the drive, and have more time to get other irreplaceable items.
Look up, look way up: If you have overhead power lines on your property, make sure they are clear of vegetation and well away from the nearest tree. Trees fall down, not only in fires, but in wind storms as well.
Create a zone of protection: If you can ensure the area within 10 metres of your home is free of trees, flammable vegetation and other combustibles, you'll go a long way towards protecting your home.
Take steps to prevent fire: Around half of wild fires are actually the doing of a careless person. An extremely dangerous and costly forest fire can come from any spark, from a cigarette butt, a careless camper, or even a controlled burn that is done improperly.
Don't build camp fires when the weather's been dry, and never smoke in fire hazard areas. Never discard of a burning cigarette our of your car window. Dry grass can easily catch fire from a smouldering cigarette butt.
If there is any extra vegetation near your house, clear it away. Your home should be constructed from materials that are fireproof or fire resistant, if you have those options. Fire resistant shingles, a spark arrestor on your chimney, and tempered glass windows go a long way to help prevent disaster. Taking these steps may even reduce your home insurance rate.
Take the time to create a detailed evacuation procedure. Review the plans with your family in the household so they understand the procedure. And do keep an emergency kit on hand. The kit must have a minimum of 3 days drinking water, and some foods that are non-perishable. Other helpful items include a portable radio, a flashlight, batteries, and a first-aid kit.
Fill any large containers, such as pools, hot tubs, or garbage cans with water to slow down an approaching fire. If an official evacuation order is handed down, don't take chances, leave the home immediately Use fireproof door numbers on your home, so that it can be easily identified. This will help firefighters locate your home quickly.
And of course, call 911 if you see any sign of a wildfire.
Having adequate home insurance is even more important when you live in an area that is more susceptible to wildfires. You really don't want to be without protection if a wildfire was to destroy your home, so be sure that you're fully insured against that.
A getaway bag will help: Keep some of your most important belongings in a bag near the front door, so that you can grab it and go if you need to evacuate quickly. If one of your family members is not home when disaster strikes, you will be able to gather up what is important for them as well. Copies of your important documents, and life saving prescription drugs should be included in your bag. It would make this tough time easier if you have toiletries and electronics ready to go as well.
Important Data: Back up your data on an external hard drive automatically, so that if you need to leave in a hurry, you can just grab the drive, and have more time to get other irreplaceable items.
Look up, look way up: If you have overhead power lines on your property, make sure they are clear of vegetation and well away from the nearest tree. Trees fall down, not only in fires, but in wind storms as well.
Create a zone of protection: If you can ensure the area within 10 metres of your home is free of trees, flammable vegetation and other combustibles, you'll go a long way towards protecting your home.
Take steps to prevent fire: Around half of wild fires are actually the doing of a careless person. An extremely dangerous and costly forest fire can come from any spark, from a cigarette butt, a careless camper, or even a controlled burn that is done improperly.
Don't build camp fires when the weather's been dry, and never smoke in fire hazard areas. Never discard of a burning cigarette our of your car window. Dry grass can easily catch fire from a smouldering cigarette butt.
If there is any extra vegetation near your house, clear it away. Your home should be constructed from materials that are fireproof or fire resistant, if you have those options. Fire resistant shingles, a spark arrestor on your chimney, and tempered glass windows go a long way to help prevent disaster. Taking these steps may even reduce your home insurance rate.
Take the time to create a detailed evacuation procedure. Review the plans with your family in the household so they understand the procedure. And do keep an emergency kit on hand. The kit must have a minimum of 3 days drinking water, and some foods that are non-perishable. Other helpful items include a portable radio, a flashlight, batteries, and a first-aid kit.
Fill any large containers, such as pools, hot tubs, or garbage cans with water to slow down an approaching fire. If an official evacuation order is handed down, don't take chances, leave the home immediately Use fireproof door numbers on your home, so that it can be easily identified. This will help firefighters locate your home quickly.
And of course, call 911 if you see any sign of a wildfire.
Having adequate home insurance is even more important when you live in an area that is more susceptible to wildfires. You really don't want to be without protection if a wildfire was to destroy your home, so be sure that you're fully insured against that.
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