How to Prepare Your Home for Fire Danger Season

Dry leaves and twigs built up in your gutters make for an easy way for fire to catch quickly, especially if they’re exposed to floating embers. Regularly cleaning your gutters and roof is an easy way to protect your home – and your neighbour’s – from the threat of bushfires. Make sure you don’t just throw these leaves and twigs into the general waste bin too, it’s important they go in the green waste bin or a skip bin.

You can also install gutter guards or ember guards as another effective precaution.

Keeping your garden well maintained is a proactive measure that reduces the risk and damage of bushfires. Regularly mow your lawn, keep it short, and cut back any hedges, shrubs or trees overhanging your home. If you store mulch or firewood, boxes/crates, flammable liquid, or have outdoor furniture, don’t forget to move these to a safe distance from your home too.

It is also essential that any green waste (leaves, branches and grass) you have cleaned up are disposed of carefully. If you have a large amount, consider hiring a green waste skip bin to make the job easier for you.

Giving your house a maintenance update is another great way to prepare your home against bushfires. If you have any damaged tiles, holes or gaps in your roof, bushfire embers can easily fall in and pose a significant threat to your home. Firstly, check if your roof tiles are non-combustible. Terracotta and concrete titles are good choices. Then replace any broken or cracked tiles and seal up the gaps.

If you haven’t got one already, you can consider installing a sprinkler system around your house and garden. Replacing any plastic fly screens or screen doors with wire mesh is another way to prevent fire sparks and burning material from entering your home.

So your home is prepared, but are you? It’s just as important to have an emergency plan in place in case a bushfire poses a severe threat to your home and family. Consider you evacuation plan, know where your community evacuation area is, and know what you’ll do with pets and personal belongings.

If you have a swimming pool, dam or water tank, put up a Static Water Supply sign at the front of your house to help firefighters and fire service crews. Don’t forget to also check your home and contents insurance before bushfire season starts to give you peace of mind that you’re protected in the worst case scenario.