Our hottest days may be yet to come, and as our summers heat up, the frequency and severity of bushfires are increasing. At this time of year, it’s important to brush up on your bushfire prevention skills and knowledge.
Fiskars provided these simple steps to protect your homes and loved ones during fire season.
Keep a tidy backyard - Leaf litter, dead branches and dry grass clippings are fuel for an uncontained fire. If the grounds of your property are kept clear of this debris and the grass is cut short, a fire approaching your property will struggle to maintain momentum if you deprive it of fuel.
Keep trees trimmed - If you have trees on your property, keep them well pruned. Long, ungainly or low hanging branches can easily catch alight and fuel a bushfire. You should also prune higher branches of trees that hang over a roof and could drop leaves into your gutters. Fiskars stocks a large range of pruning equipment, including the new and improved PowerGear X™ Telescopic Pruner UPX86, which has a reach of 6m. A tool like this is vital for removing branches that could pose a huge risk to your home in the event of a fire.
Clear your gutters - Hot, dry weather is going to increase the amount of leaf litter falling in your gutters. Be sure to regularly remove any leaves or branches, and check that your drain pipes are free of any blockages.
Have a plan - Talk to your family about an emergency evacuation plan. It’s important that everyone knows what to do and where to go when the time comes to leave the home, as things happen very quickly in the event of a bushfire. Mobile phone towers are often damaged in bushfire zones, so it’s vital that a plan has been discussed and is in place.
Listen to your local emergency services - The most important things in your home are the people that live in it. Staying behind to try and fight a fire that is encroaching on your property is an incredibly dangerous thing to do, and should be left to the professionals. When you’re told to evacuate, there’s no ifs or buts - you must go.
Bushfires can start rapidly, and your home can be in danger with little warning. Give yourself the best chance at beating a fire, and saving your home.