Preparing for the Australian Bushfire Season

As every Australian knows, the period between January and March is the hottest of the year. While it's a prime time for beach-going, barbecuing and getting out in the sun, this time of year also has a significant down side. It is also the most frequent time for bushfires.

Despite advances in firefighting technology, extensive research and early warnings to prepare homes, many houses (and tragically lives) are lost to bushfires during the extreme heat and dryness of summer. With each decade warming due to factors such as extended El Nino weather patterns and climate change, the incidence of catastrophic fire during these months in our continent is set only to continue.

However, you can prepare your home and business for the bushfire season by taking a number of precautions.

Have a bushfire plan

Consult your local fire service or council for information about how to prepare a plan for the possibility of catastrophic fires. Your plan will depend on your circumstances, the proximity of your house to bushland and whether you live in a city, town or rural area. The plan should include what to take and how soon to act in the case of a threatening fire. Listen to daily media reports on nearby threats.

Prepare your home

There are a number of simple steps that you take to prepare your home for bushfire. These are:

1. Trim (and remove) overhanging branches of trees and shrubs to stop the spread of fire to your home
2. Clear the immediate area around your house to reduce fuel for the fire
3. Remove flammable material that lie near the house
4. Clear debris from gutters and filling with water to prevent houses from catching fire from burning embers
5. Ensure that hoses reach all parts of the house and are in full working order

Have water pumps and generators

During a bushfire emergency, access to water and electricity may be limited. Both are crucial if you plan to stay and defend your home, particularly if you live in a remote location where fire trucks and other assistance will take time to reach your home. Ensure you are prepared for the worst with power generators and water pumps that give you access to precious energy and water should the grid fail.

Monitor the possibility of fire in your area

The ‘Fires Near Me’ app, run by fire services, and the fire services websites are invaluable bushfire preparation tools. Check the online information available to work out if bushfires are a threat to your home, business or property. Also check local social media groups who broadcast updates, almost in real time, from experts and residents in your area. During dry times, check with information sites to see if bushfires are a possibility in your area. By monitoring the situation, you can give yourself valuable preparation time.

It is this preparation that is one of the key factors in surviving bushfires. Consult with the experts, make an emergency plan and — if you do decide to stay — ensure your home is well prepared. By doing so, not only are you protecting you, your family and your home, you also make fire fighters task a great deal easier.

Contact us here at ablesales.com.au for more information about water pumps and portable generators to keep you prepared for bushfire emergencies in your area.