BCAA
Summer is here, and that means one thing for your home. No, it’s not bug spray. The hot, dry weather means that all it takes is a spark for a dangerous fire to ignite. The good news: in most cases, it’s preventable. Here are some steps you can take to protect your home from a forest fire:
- Surround your home with a 10-meter space and use driveways, lawns, and gravel to create a fuel break wherever possible. This is important, as it can slow down potential fires and shield your home from direct flame contact and radiant heat. Given enough heat, even indirect contact can start a fire. Clear away trees, brush, gas / propane tanks, firewood, and anything else that can fuel a fire.
- Next step: your roof. Clear away any overhanging trees and combustible debris such as pine needles from your roof, because they can be fuel for airborne sparks. (Yes, sparks can definitely fly.)
- Now, let’s look inside your home. There are opportunities to be fire-smart everywhere, from keeping fire extinguishers charged and handy to using metal containers to dispose of the hot embers from barbecues.
- If you don’t already have one, create an evacuation plan and emergency supply kit for the whole family.
- If a fire does happen, getting out of your house and potentially the surrounding area is the most important. It may seem like common sense, but you’d be surprised at how many people’s first instinct is, “What do I have to take with me?” Getting yourself and your family out of danger should be your first priority.
- Tune into your local radio (do you have a radio in your emergency kit?) to get updates about the fire. If authorities arrive on the scene, do what they recommend—they have your safety at heart.
- Record your belongings. Just in case you suffer a loss, you’ll have a list, photos, or a video showing what you had. Keep this record in a safe place outside your home, like your office or safe deposit box.
- Review your insurance coverage to ensure it meets your current needs. During natural disasters such as wildfires, insurance companies may place temporary restrictions on new business, so making changes to your policy could be difficult.