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.
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.
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. Trees fall down, not only in fires, but in wind storms as well.
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.
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. And make sure you don't throw a lit cigarette from your car. Dry vegetation on the side of the road can catch fire quite quickly from an still burning cigarette butt.
Cut back vegetation around your home. Your home should be constructed from materials that are fireproof or fire resistant, if you have those options. Fire resistant shingles, a spark arrestor on your chimney, and tempered glass windows go a long way to help prevent disaster. Taking these steps may even reduce your home insurance rate.
Take the time to create a detailed evacuation procedure. Review the plans with your family in the household so they understand the procedure. Have an emergency kit prepared as well. Include 3 days worth of drinking water, and an assortment of non-perishable food items. 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. This will help firefighters locate your home quickly.
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. 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.
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.
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. Trees fall down, not only in fires, but in wind storms as well.
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.
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. And make sure you don't throw a lit cigarette from your car. Dry vegetation on the side of the road can catch fire quite quickly from an still burning cigarette butt.
Cut back vegetation around your home. Your home should be constructed from materials that are fireproof or fire resistant, if you have those options. Fire resistant shingles, a spark arrestor on your chimney, and tempered glass windows go a long way to help prevent disaster. Taking these steps may even reduce your home insurance rate.
Take the time to create a detailed evacuation procedure. Review the plans with your family in the household so they understand the procedure. Have an emergency kit prepared as well. Include 3 days worth of drinking water, and an assortment of non-perishable food items. 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. This will help firefighters locate your home quickly.
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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