How Prepared Are You For Bushfire Season?

Many homeowners assume that their home is immune to a fire. They have the mindset that a house fire is something that could never happen to them. This is not always the case. Many of the new estates in Perth are built on the outskirts, which also happens to be in close proximity to the natural bushland and open spaces. This makes the homes in their area vulnerable to bushfires.

In order to protect yourself, your family, and your home, you should create a bushfire survival plan. You should also reduce the fuel loads and other potential fire hazards around your home.

As you may have seen in recent years, when there is a bushfire, it can take a devastating toll on the communities in Western Australia. Unfortunately, it is impossible to know ahead of time where a bushfire is going to strike. You can be sure, however, that one is going to strike this summer.

Tips to prepare for bushfire season

It is a good idea to sit down with your family and your neighbours to create a plan if a bushfire occurs and your homes and your neighborhood were to be threatened by a bushfire. If you have a plan in place, you can discuss the actions that should be taken so that you can avoid making last-minute decisions that could end up being deadly decisions.

According to Suellen Flint, the Director Community Preparedness of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES), sitting down for just a few minutes to come up with a plan is a good start. Flint stated that it only takes a few minutes to sit down with friends and family to answer a few basic questions. You should discuss when you would leave, where you would go, and how you would get there if your neighborhood were in a bushfire zone.

Taking this step is better than doing nothing at all. To help families and communities, the DFES has launched a new tool that is called Fire Chat. It is a website that asks some of the questions that you should have answers to if a bushfire threatens your property and your life. When you know the right questions to ask, it will help you determine whether you should evacuate or stay at your home and defend your home.

Preparation Guidelines

Prepare a bushfire plan that will outline what you should do if a bushfire threatens your neighborhood. This is something that Fire Chat can help with.

• When you have a plan in place ahead of time, it will allow you to make informed decisions early rather than making last-minute decisions that could turn deadly during a bushfire.

• When you are creating a plan, don’t forget to think about your pets and livestock. During a bushfire, they are going to need a safe place to stay, food, and water.

• Be sure to write down your plan and practice the plan on a regular basis with your family. This will ensure that everyone knows what to do. You should put the written version of the plan in a place where everyone can find it if necessary.

Prepare your property

It is important that your home and property is prepared if a bushfire were to threaten your home.

• Install a mesh guard around your air conditioner.

• Be sure to rake the leaves around your home and remove any rubbish from the area.

• Keep your trees and shrubs trimmed. Regular pruning is very important.

• Cut your grass regularly and keep it short.

• Make sure that your gutters are free of leaves.

• Make sure that your flammable chemical and liquids are stored away from the home. Also, stack your firewood away from the home.

• Hire Perth firebreak contractors to install firebreaks.

• If you decide to stay at your home to defend it against the fire, you are going to need an independent supply of water. You should have a water supply of at least 20,000 litres, a pressure pump, and a generator. Without this equipment, you don’t have a chance of defending your property safely.
  

Prepare an emergency kit

Your kit should include:

• A radio

• Spare batteries

• A torch

• First aid kit

• A warm blanket

• Emergency contact phone numbers in case your cell phone dies

• Water supply

• Non-perishable food items

On the day that you are forced to evacuate, be sure to take other essentials that cannot be packed ahead of time.

• Your wallet or purse

• Your house keys and your car keys

• Medication

• Your phone and your charger

• Any important documents

Important: If you see smoke and flame, don’t wait for a warning. Act immediately!

Edge Landworks ca help you prepare your property for bushfire season. Contact us today to find out more or to arrange a FREE on-site quote.