The spreading of fire from one tree to another happens in almost no time when the forest is thick. 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:
Getaway bag: When evacuation is necessary, the time is short, so have some essential items in a duffel bag placed near your main entrance. 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. 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. Fires can bring down trees, but a wind storm can do the same thing.
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. It just takes one spark to start a huge tragic fire, cause by a controlled burns that gets out of hand, campfires that are carelessly left, or still burning cigarette butts.
Don't build camp fires when the weather's been dry, and never smoke in fire hazard areas. It's shocking, but some people throw burning cigarettes from their vehicle even today, don't be one of those people. Cigarettes can cause a fire in the grass as it smoulders away.
Cut back vegetation around your home. And try to use fireproof materials in the construction of your home, whenever possible. This could include fire resistant shingles, tempered glass windows, a spark arrestor on your chimney. Not only do these things keep you safer, they will likely end up saving you money on your home insurance.
A prepared evacuation plan is essential. Review the plans with your family in the household so they understand the procedure. You'll need to prepare an emergency kit. Include 3 days worth of drinking water, and an assortment of non-perishable food items. You should also include a first-aid kit, a flashlight and batteries, and a portable radio.
If you have a hot tub or pool, keep them filled with water, as well as garbage cans or other kinds of containers. Evacuate your home immediately, if ordered by a civil authority. To make your home more simple to recognize, use address numbers that are fireproof. This will help firefighters locate your home quickly.
And of course, call 911 if you see any sign of a wildfire.
Make sure you have the right home insurance. 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.
Getaway bag: When evacuation is necessary, the time is short, so have some essential items in a duffel bag placed near your main entrance. 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. 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. Fires can bring down trees, but a wind storm can do the same thing.
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. It just takes one spark to start a huge tragic fire, cause by a controlled burns that gets out of hand, campfires that are carelessly left, or still burning cigarette butts.
Don't build camp fires when the weather's been dry, and never smoke in fire hazard areas. It's shocking, but some people throw burning cigarettes from their vehicle even today, don't be one of those people. Cigarettes can cause a fire in the grass as it smoulders away.
Cut back vegetation around your home. And try to use fireproof materials in the construction of your home, whenever possible. This could include fire resistant shingles, tempered glass windows, a spark arrestor on your chimney. Not only do these things keep you safer, they will likely end up saving you money on your home insurance.
A prepared evacuation plan is essential. Review the plans with your family in the household so they understand the procedure. You'll need to prepare an emergency kit. Include 3 days worth of drinking water, and an assortment of non-perishable food items. You should also include a first-aid kit, a flashlight and batteries, and a portable radio.
If you have a hot tub or pool, keep them filled with water, as well as garbage cans or other kinds of containers. Evacuate your home immediately, if ordered by a civil authority. To make your home more simple to recognize, use address numbers that are fireproof. This will help firefighters locate your home quickly.
And of course, call 911 if you see any sign of a wildfire.
Make sure you have the right home insurance. 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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This article collected, selected and written by: Author Van Hoc
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