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. In a case where some of your family is away, this will allow you to safeguard their most important possessions. Things for the bag would be your important documents, or copies of them, and any prescription medications that you or your family require. Nice-to-haves include toiletries, electronics, etc.
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.
Keep an eye up high: For those who have power lines, always be certain that there is nothing touching them, and that trees are not allowed to be too close. Heavy winds can bring down trees, as well as fire.
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.
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. 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.
Take the time to create a detailed evacuation procedure. Make sure everyone in your family knows what to do. Have an emergency kit prepared as well. The kit must have a minimum of 3 days drinking water, and some foods that are non-perishable. You should also include a first-aid kit, a flashlight and batteries, and a portable radio.
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 To make your home more simple to recognize, use address numbers that are fireproof. Firefighters will find your house much more quickly if you take that precaution.
Call 911 immediately if you see any signs that a wildfire is forming.
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.
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. In a case where some of your family is away, this will allow you to safeguard their most important possessions. Things for the bag would be your important documents, or copies of them, and any prescription medications that you or your family require. Nice-to-haves include toiletries, electronics, etc.
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.
Keep an eye up high: For those who have power lines, always be certain that there is nothing touching them, and that trees are not allowed to be too close. Heavy winds can bring down trees, as well as fire.
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.
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. 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.
Take the time to create a detailed evacuation procedure. Make sure everyone in your family knows what to do. Have an emergency kit prepared as well. The kit must have a minimum of 3 days drinking water, and some foods that are non-perishable. You should also include a first-aid kit, a flashlight and batteries, and a portable radio.
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 To make your home more simple to recognize, use address numbers that are fireproof. Firefighters will find your house much more quickly if you take that precaution.
Call 911 immediately if you see any signs that a wildfire is forming.
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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