The spreading of fire from one tree to another happens in almost no time when the forest is thick. 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. This will also make any temporarily away family members feel better, since you can protect their most valued items. Copies of your important documents, and life saving prescription drugs should be included in your bag. Some optional but important things would be your electronic items and toiletries.
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.
Keep an eye up high: For those who have power lines, always be certain that there is nothing touching them, and that trees are not allowed to be too close. Fires can bring down trees, but a wind storm can do the same thing.
Create a zone of protection: If you can ensure the area within 10 metres of your home is free of trees, flammable vegetation and other combustibles, you'll go a long way towards protecting your home.
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.
If the weather is extremely dry, it's a bad idea to build a camp fire. It's shocking, but some people throw burning cigarettes from their vehicle even today, don't be one of those people. Cigarettes can cause a fire in the grass as it smoulders away.
Keep your property clear of excess vegetation. 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. Taking these steps may even reduce your home insurance rate.
A prepared evacuation plan is essential. Make sure everyone in your family knows what to do. And do keep an emergency kit on hand. 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. When evacuation is ordered by an authority, take it seriously and evacuate right away. It's always a good idea to make sure your house numbers are visible, and preferably made of fireproof materials. 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.
Having adequate home insurance is even more important when you live in an area that is more susceptible to wildfires. If the worst happens, and a wildfire strikes in your area, don't be caught without enough coverage to rebuild your home!
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. Copies of your important documents, and life saving prescription drugs should be included in your bag. Some optional but important things would be your electronic items and toiletries.
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.
Keep an eye up high: For those who have power lines, always be certain that there is nothing touching them, and that trees are not allowed to be too close. Fires can bring down trees, but a wind storm can do the same thing.
Create a zone of protection: If you can ensure the area within 10 metres of your home is free of trees, flammable vegetation and other combustibles, you'll go a long way towards protecting your home.
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.
If the weather is extremely dry, it's a bad idea to build a camp fire. It's shocking, but some people throw burning cigarettes from their vehicle even today, don't be one of those people. Cigarettes can cause a fire in the grass as it smoulders away.
Keep your property clear of excess vegetation. 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. Taking these steps may even reduce your home insurance rate.
A prepared evacuation plan is essential. Make sure everyone in your family knows what to do. And do keep an emergency kit on hand. 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. When evacuation is ordered by an authority, take it seriously and evacuate right away. It's always a good idea to make sure your house numbers are visible, and preferably made of fireproof materials. 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.
Having adequate home insurance is even more important when you live in an area that is more susceptible to wildfires. If the worst happens, and a wildfire strikes in your area, don't be caught without enough coverage to rebuild your home!
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 check out our Home Insurance video.
No comments:
Post a Comment