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. In a case where some of your family is away, this will allow you to safeguard their most important possessions. Copies of your important documents, and life saving prescription drugs should be included in your bag. Nice-to-haves include toiletries, electronics, etc.
Your data: Invest in an external hard drive and program your computer to do automatic back-ups so you can spend a bit more time grabbing photos and other irreplaceable items when you are forced to leave your home.
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. Fires can bring down trees, but a wind storm can do the same thing.
Protection zone: A general rule of thumb is to clear any trees, vegetation that could catch fire, or other debris away from your home at a distance of 10 metres.
Take steps to prevent fire: Around half of wild fires are actually the doing of a careless person. 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.
Camp fires are not a good idea when the forest is bone-dry, and smoking is never a good idea. It's shocking, but some people throw burning cigarettes from their vehicle even today, don't be one of those people. Dry grass can easily catch fire from a smouldering cigarette butt.
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. Not only do these things keep you safer, they will likely end up saving you money on your home insurance.
Have an evacuation plan ready. Go over it with everyone in your household so that they are prepared. Have an emergency kit prepared as well. This should include non-perishable foods and at least a three-day supply of drinking water. 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. It's always a good idea to make sure your house numbers are visible, and preferably made of fireproof materials. 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.
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. In a case where some of your family is away, this will allow you to safeguard their most important possessions. Copies of your important documents, and life saving prescription drugs should be included in your bag. Nice-to-haves include toiletries, electronics, etc.
Your data: Invest in an external hard drive and program your computer to do automatic back-ups so you can spend a bit more time grabbing photos and other irreplaceable items when you are forced to leave your home.
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. Fires can bring down trees, but a wind storm can do the same thing.
Protection zone: A general rule of thumb is to clear any trees, vegetation that could catch fire, or other debris away from your home at a distance of 10 metres.
Take steps to prevent fire: Around half of wild fires are actually the doing of a careless person. 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.
Camp fires are not a good idea when the forest is bone-dry, and smoking is never a good idea. It's shocking, but some people throw burning cigarettes from their vehicle even today, don't be one of those people. Dry grass can easily catch fire from a smouldering cigarette butt.
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. Not only do these things keep you safer, they will likely end up saving you money on your home insurance.
Have an evacuation plan ready. Go over it with everyone in your household so that they are prepared. Have an emergency kit prepared as well. This should include non-perishable foods and at least a three-day supply of drinking water. 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. It's always a good idea to make sure your house numbers are visible, and preferably made of fireproof materials. 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.
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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