Bushfire season is fast approaching, and according to the Bureau of Meteorology, many parts of Australia can expect to face a higher risk of extreme fires over an extended period of time. If you live in an area that is at high risk of bushfire activity, then you may be faced with the choice of evacuating your home or staying and defending your property in the event of an approaching bushfire.
The choice is a very individual one and can be influenced by many factors such as protecting livestock, whether your home and contents are insured, or whether you rent or own your home. Sometimes you may not have a choice, such as when a fire has approached too rapidly to safely evacuate or when your evacuation route has been cut off.
If you choose, or are forced, to stay and defend your property, being adequately prepared is essential. It can make the difference between saving your property, or losing everything, which could include your life or your family's lives. Here are two bushfire essentials you should install in your home immediately to ensure that you're adequately prepared to stay and defend your home.
1. Install fire extinguishers
Fire extinguishers are the fastest and most effective way to put out fires. This is especially true of intense spot fires caused by ember showers. The best extinguisher type to buy is one that utilises a dry chemical powder. This is effective against several types of fire, particularly the type most commonly seen during bushfires involving wood, grass, and other highly combustible materials used in house construction.
Make sure that you and your family members understand how to safely and effectively use your chosen fire extinguishers. It's also essential that you regularly check your fire extinguisher's pressure level and look for any signs of corrosion or damage that may render it useless when you need it. Having your extinguishers checked annually by a legally accredited fire extinguisher servicer is wise.
2.A roof-top sprinkler system
Many homes that are damaged or destroyed by bushfires have been made vulnerable by ember attacks. The fierce winds that are generated during a bushfire can blast red-hot embers a great distance ahead of the actual blaze. These embers can become wedged in even very small cracks in the fascia, gutters, and cladding of your home, causing intense and highly damaging fires.
Many people use their garden hose to wet their home down, often standing on the roof to do so. This can not only be dangerous; it can also be ineffective during a sustained and intense ember attack. A roof-top sprinkler system can provide a steady and continual spray of water over your entire home. To ensure that it works effectively, it should source its water from a fire-resistant concrete or steel water tank. It should also have a pump that has an independent power source, such as a generator, to ensure that your home is protected if the power is cut due to the bushfire.
These two bushfire essentials are simple but highly effective ways to help you stay and defend your home successfully. If you're concerned about the coming bushfire season, then have them installed now to ensure you're fully prepared.
