Summer is fast approaching. Like always, it promises endless adventures that would definitely make you want to be outdoors.
However, this time of the year is also the bushfire season. So while you’re planning for beach getaways or hiking trips, don’t forget to ensure that your home is fire safe or at least protected against such incident.
In a recent survey of more than 4,000 Service Seeking customers, 46.26% say that they have prepared a disaster plan in case of fire. It’s definitely good to know that many homeowners are proactive.
On the other hand, 53.74% have no fire disaster plan in place. It means that more than half of Australians are totally unprepared in case of a fire – a worrying statistic as we move into bushfire season.
According to the Rural Fire Service, even if you live in suburbia and are distant from any sort of bushland, your house could be in danger.
There are a few simple ways to get your home ready for the bushfire season and help create the framework for your own disaster plan.
Clearing vegetation and junk removal from around your property is a good place to start. A recommended guide is a 20-metre circle of safety around your home, where there’s no vegetation or garden waste that could spark your house alight.
Not enough people are adequately prepared, considering that one in five do not have home contents insurance. If you’re among them, make sure you get insured.
Or, if you already have insurance, re-assess the contents of your policy to know if it’s enough to cover the cost of repairing or rebuilding your home in case it gets burnt down. 66.15% of Australian homeowners have fire insurance to cover a total write-off of all their possessions.
Getting insurance is definitely a smart move, even if your home is not located in an at-risk bushfire area, since household fires can happen anytime. Living in a high-risk bushfire area entails a higher premium, though.
Smoke alarms have been an essential part of homes. Obviously, they can detect smoke and sound an alarm to warn you of fire. This will certainly give you a head start — you and your family can get out of the house before the fire gets bigger.
Dealing with an actual fire can be disorienting. The mere sound of a smoke alarm is often enough to cause panic. Fire can also spread so easily, leaving you with no time to think. That’s why you should have a fire escape plan that you know by heart.
Get your family involved in making it, and practise your fire escape plan in different settings (when it’s dark when you’re standing or crawling, etc.). Think of at least two ways to get out of a room as well as a meeting place outside your home.
In Queensland, residents can have their local firefighters come over to identify fire hazards in their homes. This is actually a free service by Queensland Fire and Emergency. Apart from ensuring zero fire hazards in a property, the programme also includes checking for sufficient safety precautions.
You can also contact the best professionals listed in the Service Seeking directory to get fire protection inspections for the lowest possible price. It’s wise to always know your risk.
You can fire-proof your home with the right materials. Although it will cost you more, you can have peace of mind knowing that your house will not easily burn down. The national building code also requires specific designs and materials for homes in at-risk areas. Check with experts to know the Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) rating of your property so that you can make the right building choices.
Bushfire readiness also includes considering where embers could potentially enter your home – think gaps in roofs, walls, evaporative air conditioners and gutters. Fire services recommend installing a stainless steel mesh cover over evaporative air conditioner vents to keep embers out.
“Being bushfire ready may be time-consuming, but it’s worthwhile if it means saving your property,” says Service Seeking CEO Jeremy Levitt. “Our survey revealed that less than half of Australian homeowners are ready for bushfire season, which is concerning.”
“Preparing your home against fire isn’t just for those living in the bush- people in more suburban areas are still at risk and should also make some effort to protect their home,” says Mr Levitt.
Whether you’re looking for home builders, property inspectors, or smoke alarm installers, you can find the professional you need at ServiceSeeking.com.au. There are heaps of businesses on the site that are ready to help ensure a fireproof home for you and your family so that you stay safe.