How to reduce the risk of fire this summer

With summer weather comes heat and with heat comes the threat of fires. To be prepared, it’s critical to remove debris from gutters and other areas, which can fuel the blaze.

The Queensland Government has released these tips for properly preparing for bushfire season. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) also provides a Bushfire Preparation Guide.

In this post, we’ve collected some bushfire season best practices for before, during and after fires.

PREPARE AREAS BEFORE BUSHFIRE SEASON

If you’re in an area prone to bushfires, you can proactively prepare your property by taking these actions:

• Clearly display your house number (for emergency crews)
• Keep your lawn mowed
• Get rid of any excess combustible material from the area
• Relocate any flammable items away from the house
• Prune low-lying branches (those under 2m in height)
• Keep gutters clear of leaves
• Use gutter plugs
• Cover windows and doors with mesh screens
• Make sure LPG cylinders are upright and point all relief valves away from the house
• Inspect pumps, generators and water systems
• Fix any damaged roofing and seal gaps
• Confirm your first-aid kit has all necessary supplies

WHEN A FIRE APPROACHES

In the unfortunate event that fire begins to encroach on your property, these are things you can do:

• Insert gutter plugs into drain pipes then fill gutters with water
• Move outdoor furniture, door mats and other items
• Drive cars to safe areas
• Hose down verandas and any greenery near the house
• Turn on sprinklers
• Take down curtains and move furniture away from windows
• Add water to the bathtubs, sinks and buckets
• Drench towels for placement under exterior doors
• Place ladders to access the roof  (inside and outside)
• Get generators and pumps on standby
• Safely secure animals
• Remain in the house or structure
• Keep hydrated
• Search for spot fires and put them out

WHEN THE FIRE ARRIVES

If you make the decision to stay and defend your home, you should:

• Move fire-fighting equipment, such as hoses and pumps, inside (to stop them from melting)
• Inspect the inside of your home, including the ceiling space for embers or small fires
• Shelter inside, drink lots of water and regularly check on family and pets

AFTER THE FIRE PASSES

Once the fire has passed, and it’s safe to move about outside, you’ll need to continue to be vigilant. Carefully check for spot fires or embers, which could be in any space that was in proximity to the fire, such as under the house, along other structures, in exterior areas and along rooflines.

Stay at home until the surrounding area is clear of fire. Continue to drink lots of water and listen to local radio station for updates. Read more about preparing your home for bushfires.

CLEAN UP

Once everything is safe and the fire is no longer a threat, it’s time to clean up. You’ll need to take steps to minimise risk. Always wear appropriate protective equipment. Take care in or avoid touching material that could contain asbestos. One of the biggest threats post-fire is asbestos. If a fire impacts a structure with asbestos, dangerous fibres could be released. To best protect yourself and others, don’t walk through asbestos debris. You’ll need to notify others of the danger with some type of signage. You can also contact 13QGOV (13 74 68) for advice on how to remove asbestos safely.

It’s best to not spread ash around. It could consist of copper, arsenate (CCA) treated timber, chromium, asbestos or other hazardous materials. Keep all children and pets away from the ash. Try to keep debris wet so it doesn’t become airborne. Be cognizant of possible smouldering coals and ash, electrical hazards or gas cylinders that could be hidden under debris. Before cleaning the roof, disconnect rainwater tank pipes to prevent any entry of contaminated water.

SAFEGUARD YOUR PROPERTY WITH FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS

With a mobile fire protection system, you’ll have added defence against fires. These can be placed near homes and other properties. Our fire protection pumpsets are designed to be compliant with national standards. Available in both diesel and electric, these systems can significantly improve your chances to minimise damage. Learn more about how our systems work.

For more information on how to safeguard your property with a package fire protection system, please contact us today.