By Ros Burton (Principal – The Real Estate People)
Bushfires are deadly and we need to be prepared for them – that’s why I return to this topic every year, because it’s one that bears repeating (especially if you live anywhere near bushland).
It’s going to be a very hot summer and that means everything is going to be tinder-dry and prone to catching fire with the tiniest of sparks, a lightning strike or even a wayward cigarette.
By taking a few simple precautions you can protect yourself, your family and your property should the worst happen and you encounter a fire near your home.
Create a defensible space
Maintaining a clear buffer zone around your home can mean the difference between a close call and a catastrophe.
- Cleanliness: Regularly clean roof surfaces and gutters of pine needles, leaves, branches, etc., to avoid the accumulation of flammable materials.
- Tree maintenance: Remove any part of a tree extending within 2 metres of the flue opening of any stove or chimney.
- Screening: Maintain a screen constructed of non-flammable material over the flue opening of every chimney or stovepipe.
Landscape considerations
The vegetation around your home can either fuel a fire or help deter it.
- Spacing: Plants and shrubbery should be spaced so that fire cannot be carried to your home or surrounding vegetation.
- Branch removal: Remove branches from trees to a height of 3 metres (and clear any ground debris).
- Fuel break: A wide fuel break should be maintained around all structures as flames and embers can jump a great distance (especially if it’s windy).
Emergency preparedness
In case a fire does break out, being prepared can help prevent a bad situation from becoming worse.
- Fire tools: Keep firefighting implements handy, such as a ladder (long enough to reach the roof), a shovel, rake, and an extinguisher or reliable water source. Obviously, if the fire is too intense – get yourself to safety…no property is worth your life.
- Evacuation routes: Each home should have at least two different entrance and exit routes. Take two minutes to practise a walk-through of an evacuation (in daylight and in the dark) and you’ll be better prepared to react if a disaster does occur.
Fire safety requires vigilance and preparation.
By following these steps, you can greatly reduce your home’s vulnerability to bushfires and protect your family this coming summer.
For more information, go to https://www.qld.gov.au/emergency/dealing-disasters/disaster-types/bushfires