If you live in a rural region, particularly in an area close to bushland, you need to be prepared against the threat of bushfire during the bushfire season. During severe or catastrophic bushfire conditions it is highly recommended that you leave Garage Door Track Assemblies your property, but on lower risk days there are things you can do to give your home a better chance of remaining untouched, including clearing your property of rubbish, cutting back trees from around your home and clearing leaves off verandas.
Clean up
Have a good look around your property and clear away any rubbish and other flammable materials. Dry timber and wood piles should be moved at least twenty metres away from your house and any paper rubbish should be removed with the recyclable rubbish. Clean out your gutters of any leaf material and regularly rake up any dry leaves from around your home.
Repairs
Check the condition of your roof and look for any gaps where sparks or embers could get in, as the smallest ember can start a fire in your house. Replace any broken or cracked tiles. You will also need to check that embers can not get in through gaps under the eaves or up under your house. Keep your home maintained throughout the bushfire season.
Fuel Garage Door Fix
Reduce the amount of fuel around your home by cutting back tree branches so they do not hang over your roof. Remove any petrol or other fuel, including chemicals. If you have LPG cylinders move them to the side of the house that is least likely to be attacked by a bushfire.
Defending your home
If you decide to stay and defend your home then you need to be adequately prepared. Make sure that you have access to a sufficient water supply, including a hose with enough pressure to fight a fire. A pump that runs on its own fuel is better because your electricity is likely to be cut off. Plan what you will do with animals and livestock, giving them somewhere to escape from an approaching fire. Have protective clothing organised, which includes a long sleeve shirt or woollen jumper, a hat and gloves, full length trousers, boots with a thick sole and something to wrap around your mouth and nose to protect you from the smoke. Have a fully stocked first aid kit and plan where you can shelter from a passing fire. You will also need to decide beforehand at what point you will leave as it can be more dangerous to leave too late than stay at your home. Many people are killed in their cars trying to escape the fire, as was shown during the fires of Black Saturday in February 2009. Other things you need to remember include having enough batteries to keep a radio running, as you will need to be continually updated as to where the fire is and at what category it is listed as. Make sure that your home is adequately insured too in case your home is damaged or destroyed.
