Fires very quickly spread from tree to tree in dense forest. Long before the emergency evacuation crew knocks at your door, here are a few things you can do to protect your family and your belongings:
Getaway bag: When evacuation is necessary, the time is short, so have some essential items in a duffel bag placed near your main entrance. This will also make any temporarily away family members feel better, since you can protect their most valued items. Essentials include prescription medicines and photocopies of important documents. It would make this tough time easier if you have toiletries and electronics ready to go as well.
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.
Don't forget dangers from above: Overhead power lines could be attached to your home, so keep them free of any debris or vegetation and be sure trees are not near to them. Fires can bring down trees, but a wind storm can do the same thing.
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. It just takes one spark to start a huge tragic fire, cause by a controlled burns that gets out of hand, campfires that are carelessly left, or still burning cigarette butts.
Camp fires are not a good idea when the forest is bone-dry, and smoking is never a good idea. It's shocking, but some people throw burning cigarettes from their vehicle even today, don't be one of those people. Dry grass can easily catch fire from a smouldering cigarette butt.
Cut back vegetation around your home. And try to use fireproof materials in the construction of your home, whenever possible. Fire resistant shingles, a spark arrestor on your chimney, and tempered glass windows go a long way to help prevent disaster. Not only do these things keep you safer, they will likely end up saving you money on your home insurance.
A prepared evacuation plan is essential. Review the plans with your family in the household so they understand the procedure. You'll need to prepare an emergency kit. This should include non-perishable foods and at least a three-day supply of drinking water. You should also include a first-aid kit, a flashlight and batteries, and a portable radio.
Fill any large containers, such as pools, hot tubs, or garbage cans with water to slow down an approaching fire. If an official evacuation order is handed down, don't take chances, leave the home immediately Use fireproof door numbers on your home, so that it can be easily identified. This will help firefighters locate your home quickly.
Call 911 immediately if you see any signs that a wildfire is forming.
Having adequate home insurance is even more important when you live in an area that is more susceptible to wildfires. 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.
Getaway bag: When evacuation is necessary, the time is short, so have some essential items in a duffel bag placed near your main entrance. This will also make any temporarily away family members feel better, since you can protect their most valued items. Essentials include prescription medicines and photocopies of important documents. It would make this tough time easier if you have toiletries and electronics ready to go as well.
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.
Don't forget dangers from above: Overhead power lines could be attached to your home, so keep them free of any debris or vegetation and be sure trees are not near to them. Fires can bring down trees, but a wind storm can do the same thing.
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. It just takes one spark to start a huge tragic fire, cause by a controlled burns that gets out of hand, campfires that are carelessly left, or still burning cigarette butts.
Camp fires are not a good idea when the forest is bone-dry, and smoking is never a good idea. It's shocking, but some people throw burning cigarettes from their vehicle even today, don't be one of those people. Dry grass can easily catch fire from a smouldering cigarette butt.
Cut back vegetation around your home. And try to use fireproof materials in the construction of your home, whenever possible. Fire resistant shingles, a spark arrestor on your chimney, and tempered glass windows go a long way to help prevent disaster. Not only do these things keep you safer, they will likely end up saving you money on your home insurance.
A prepared evacuation plan is essential. Review the plans with your family in the household so they understand the procedure. You'll need to prepare an emergency kit. This should include non-perishable foods and at least a three-day supply of drinking water. You should also include a first-aid kit, a flashlight and batteries, and a portable radio.
Fill any large containers, such as pools, hot tubs, or garbage cans with water to slow down an approaching fire. If an official evacuation order is handed down, don't take chances, leave the home immediately Use fireproof door numbers on your home, so that it can be easily identified. This will help firefighters locate your home quickly.
Call 911 immediately if you see any signs that a wildfire is forming.
Having adequate home insurance is even more important when you live in an area that is more susceptible to wildfires. 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.
About the Author:
We offer the only Ottawa Home Insurance policy that can be truly tailored to your needs. Get a quote and buy a policy online or by phone. Or watch our Home Insurance video.
No comments:
Post a Comment