Thursday 15/10/15
Summer is already making its presence felt, and with summer comes the bushfire season. If you live in an inner city apartment block, bushfires aren’t a big problem for you. But if you live within a couple of blocks of bushland, you need to prepare your home as soon as possible.
It is too late to prepare for a bushfire when the bushfire is already burning its way toward your home. You need to prepare today. Below is a short list of simple chores you need to complete to help you keep your home safe during the bushfire season:
- Inspect your garden hoses. Are they still in good condition? If not, replace them. You may need them to put out a fire on your property.
- Make sure your hoses are long enough to reach every point on your property (including the roof).
- Roll your hoses up as soon as you’ve finished using them. This ensures they are ready for use during an emergency.
- Mow your lawn and keep it short during bushfire season.
- Weed and maintain your garden (don’t forget to remove dead leaves and other debris).
- If you have trees or shrubs near your home, prune them back.
- Remove any twigs and leaves from your gutters.
- Make a conscious effort to keep your lawn free from leaves, twigs and other debris. These are fuel for fire.
- Repair or replace any missing or damaged roof tiles. Missing or damaged roof tiles let airborne embers into your roof space.
The jobs on this checklist will take time to complete, but you are investing in your own safety. Set a time this weekend and get them done. For the sake of a little yard work, you are eliminating a lot of potential problems around your home.
The above information is the bare basics to help keep you and your family safe this summer. For more detailed information on planning for bushfire season (and live updates of current bushfires), please visit the NSW Rural Fire Service webpage http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au .
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