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:
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. This will also make any temporarily away family members feel better, since you can protect their most valued items. Things for the bag would be your important documents, or copies of them, and any prescription medications that you or your family require. Some optional but important things would be your electronic items and toiletries.
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.
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.
Protection zone: A general rule of thumb is to clear any trees, vegetation that could catch fire, or other debris away from your home at a distance of 10 metres.
Prevention is best: People who are not careful are the cause of half of the wild fires each year. 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. It's shocking, but some people throw burning cigarettes from their vehicle even today, don't be one of those people. Dry vegetation on the side of the road can catch fire quite quickly from an still burning cigarette butt.
Keep your property clear of excess vegetation. And try to use fireproof materials in the construction of your home, whenever possible. Some ways to do this are to install tempered glass windows, a spark arrestor on the chimney, and fire resistant shingles. Your home insurance premiums can also be reduced by taking precautions like these.
A prepared evacuation plan is essential. Make sure everyone in your family knows what to do. You'll need to prepare an emergency kit. This should include non-perishable foods and at least a three-day supply of drinking water. It's essential to have a first-aid kit included, and a portable radio, flashlight, and extra batteries are important.
If you have a hot tub or pool, keep them filled with water, as well as garbage cans or other kinds of containers. 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. This will also make any temporarily away family members feel better, since you can protect their most valued items. Things for the bag would be your important documents, or copies of them, and any prescription medications that you or your family require. Some optional but important things would be your electronic items and toiletries.
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.
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.
Protection zone: A general rule of thumb is to clear any trees, vegetation that could catch fire, or other debris away from your home at a distance of 10 metres.
Prevention is best: People who are not careful are the cause of half of the wild fires each year. 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. It's shocking, but some people throw burning cigarettes from their vehicle even today, don't be one of those people. Dry vegetation on the side of the road can catch fire quite quickly from an still burning cigarette butt.
Keep your property clear of excess vegetation. And try to use fireproof materials in the construction of your home, whenever possible. Some ways to do this are to install tempered glass windows, a spark arrestor on the chimney, and fire resistant shingles. Your home insurance premiums can also be reduced by taking precautions like these.
A prepared evacuation plan is essential. Make sure everyone in your family knows what to do. You'll need to prepare an emergency kit. This should include non-perishable foods and at least a three-day supply of drinking water. It's essential to have a first-aid kit included, and a portable radio, flashlight, and extra batteries are important.
If you have a hot tub or pool, keep them filled with water, as well as garbage cans or other kinds of containers. 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.
About the Author:
See SQ1 for a home insurance policy that can be truly tailored to your needs. Get a quote and buy a policy online or by phone. Or have a quick look at our home insurance video.
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:
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. This will also make any temporarily away family members feel better, since you can protect their most valued items. Things for the bag would be your important documents, or copies of them, and any prescription medications that you or your family require. Some optional but important things would be your electronic items and toiletries.
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.
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.
Protection zone: A general rule of thumb is to clear any trees, vegetation that could catch fire, or other debris away from your home at a distance of 10 metres.
Prevention is best: People who are not careful are the cause of half of the wild fires each year. 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. It's shocking, but some people throw burning cigarettes from their vehicle even today, don't be one of those people. Dry vegetation on the side of the road can catch fire quite quickly from an still burning cigarette butt.
Keep your property clear of excess vegetation. And try to use fireproof materials in the construction of your home, whenever possible. Some ways to do this are to install tempered glass windows, a spark arrestor on the chimney, and fire resistant shingles. Your home insurance premiums can also be reduced by taking precautions like these.
A prepared evacuation plan is essential. Make sure everyone in your family knows what to do. You'll need to prepare an emergency kit. This should include non-perishable foods and at least a three-day supply of drinking water. It's essential to have a first-aid kit included, and a portable radio, flashlight, and extra batteries are important.
If you have a hot tub or pool, keep them filled with water, as well as garbage cans or other kinds of containers. 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. This will also make any temporarily away family members feel better, since you can protect their most valued items. Things for the bag would be your important documents, or copies of them, and any prescription medications that you or your family require. Some optional but important things would be your electronic items and toiletries.
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.
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.
Protection zone: A general rule of thumb is to clear any trees, vegetation that could catch fire, or other debris away from your home at a distance of 10 metres.
Prevention is best: People who are not careful are the cause of half of the wild fires each year. 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. It's shocking, but some people throw burning cigarettes from their vehicle even today, don't be one of those people. Dry vegetation on the side of the road can catch fire quite quickly from an still burning cigarette butt.
Keep your property clear of excess vegetation. And try to use fireproof materials in the construction of your home, whenever possible. Some ways to do this are to install tempered glass windows, a spark arrestor on the chimney, and fire resistant shingles. Your home insurance premiums can also be reduced by taking precautions like these.
A prepared evacuation plan is essential. Make sure everyone in your family knows what to do. You'll need to prepare an emergency kit. This should include non-perishable foods and at least a three-day supply of drinking water. It's essential to have a first-aid kit included, and a portable radio, flashlight, and extra batteries are important.
If you have a hot tub or pool, keep them filled with water, as well as garbage cans or other kinds of containers. 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.
About the Author:
See SQ1 for a home insurance policy that can be truly tailored to your needs. Get a quote and buy a policy online or by phone. Or have a quick look at our home insurance video.
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