If you live in a heavily wooded area, it doesn't take much for a fire to spread from treetop to treetop. People are evacuated when this happens, but there are some steps that you can take to protect your home and family before an evacuation order:
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. Things for the bag would be your important documents, or copies of them, and any prescription medications that you or your family require. It would make this tough time easier if you have toiletries and electronics ready to go as well.
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.
Don't forget dangers from above: Overhead power lines could be attached to your home, so keep them free of any debris or vegetation and be sure trees are not near to them. 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.
Prevention is best: People who are not careful are the cause of half of the wild fires each year. Whether it's a campfire that isn't completely out, or a controlled burn that gets out of control or a cigarette thrown from a window, a single spark can trigger a massive disaster.
Don't build camp fires when the weather's been dry, and never smoke in fire hazard areas. And make sure you don't throw a lit cigarette from your car. Dry grass can easily catch fire from a smouldering cigarette butt.
Cut back vegetation around your home. And try to use fireproof materials in the construction of your home, whenever possible. Some ways to do this are to install tempered glass windows, a spark arrestor on the chimney, and fire resistant shingles. Your home insurance premiums can also be reduced by taking precautions like these.
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. This should include non-perishable foods and at least a three-day supply of drinking water. It's essential to have a first-aid kit included, and a portable radio, flashlight, and extra batteries are important.
You can slow down a fire that is coming your way by having containers like garbage cans filled with water, as well as a pool or hot tub. 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. Firefighters will find your house much more quickly if you take that precaution.
And of course, call 911 if you see any sign of a wildfire.
Go over your home insurance coverage to be sure that you are fully protected. 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. Things for the bag would be your important documents, or copies of them, and any prescription medications that you or your family require. It would make this tough time easier if you have toiletries and electronics ready to go as well.
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.
Don't forget dangers from above: Overhead power lines could be attached to your home, so keep them free of any debris or vegetation and be sure trees are not near to them. 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.
Prevention is best: People who are not careful are the cause of half of the wild fires each year. Whether it's a campfire that isn't completely out, or a controlled burn that gets out of control or a cigarette thrown from a window, a single spark can trigger a massive disaster.
Don't build camp fires when the weather's been dry, and never smoke in fire hazard areas. And make sure you don't throw a lit cigarette from your car. Dry grass can easily catch fire from a smouldering cigarette butt.
Cut back vegetation around your home. And try to use fireproof materials in the construction of your home, whenever possible. Some ways to do this are to install tempered glass windows, a spark arrestor on the chimney, and fire resistant shingles. Your home insurance premiums can also be reduced by taking precautions like these.
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. This should include non-perishable foods and at least a three-day supply of drinking water. It's essential to have a first-aid kit included, and a portable radio, flashlight, and extra batteries are important.
You can slow down a fire that is coming your way by having containers like garbage cans filled with water, as well as a pool or hot tub. 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. Firefighters will find your house much more quickly if you take that precaution.
And of course, call 911 if you see any sign of a wildfire.
Go over your home insurance coverage to be sure that you are fully protected. 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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