Fires very quickly spread from tree to tree in dense forest. Long before the emergency evacuation crew knocks at your door, here are a few things you can do to protect your family and your belongings:
Have a getaway bag prepared: You may not get a lot of time, so having a gym bag packed with essentials in the front hall closet will ensure you have what you need. 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. Some optional but important things would be your electronic items and toiletries.
Data: It would be wise for you to automatically back up your data on an external hard drive, so that you don't find yourself trying to unplug your desktop and lug it with you while running out the door.
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.
Build a protective zone: A 10 metre area around your home should be free of any flammable objects, so clear away any dead vegetation, trees, or other refuse.
Only you can prevent forest fires: Close to 50% of wild fires are caused by human carelessness. 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.
If the weather is extremely dry, it's a bad idea to build a camp fire. And make sure you don't throw a lit cigarette from your car. Cigarettes can cause a fire in the grass as it smoulders away.
Cut back vegetation around your home. Be certain to choose fireproof building materials when building a home, if you can. This could include fire resistant shingles, tempered glass windows, a spark arrestor on your chimney. Your home insurance premiums can also be reduced by taking precautions like these.
Have an evacuation plan ready. 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. Evacuate your home immediately, if ordered by a civil authority. To make your home more simple to recognize, use address numbers that are fireproof. Your home will be determined faster by firefighters this way.
And of course, call 911 if you see any sign of a wildfire.
Make sure you have the right home insurance. A wildfire could strike at any time, so be sure that your home insurance is adequate, so that if a tragedy occurs and your home is lost, you can have it rebuilt without losing everything.
Have a getaway bag prepared: You may not get a lot of time, so having a gym bag packed with essentials in the front hall closet will ensure you have what you need. 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. Some optional but important things would be your electronic items and toiletries.
Data: It would be wise for you to automatically back up your data on an external hard drive, so that you don't find yourself trying to unplug your desktop and lug it with you while running out the door.
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.
Build a protective zone: A 10 metre area around your home should be free of any flammable objects, so clear away any dead vegetation, trees, or other refuse.
Only you can prevent forest fires: Close to 50% of wild fires are caused by human carelessness. 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.
If the weather is extremely dry, it's a bad idea to build a camp fire. And make sure you don't throw a lit cigarette from your car. Cigarettes can cause a fire in the grass as it smoulders away.
Cut back vegetation around your home. Be certain to choose fireproof building materials when building a home, if you can. This could include fire resistant shingles, tempered glass windows, a spark arrestor on your chimney. Your home insurance premiums can also be reduced by taking precautions like these.
Have an evacuation plan ready. 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. Evacuate your home immediately, if ordered by a civil authority. To make your home more simple to recognize, use address numbers that are fireproof. Your home will be determined faster by firefighters this way.
And of course, call 911 if you see any sign of a wildfire.
Make sure you have the right home insurance. A wildfire could strike at any time, so be sure that your home insurance is adequate, so that if a tragedy occurs and your home is lost, you can have it rebuilt without losing everything.
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