Do you have a bushfire survival plan in place? If you are living in areas prone to bushfires, it is essential you have a plan and ensure all members of your family know what this plan is. Even if you are not living in bushfire prone areas, it is important you have a plan in place for these accidents that you never expect. All it takes is a few embers to land in your clogged up gutters and you could have a disaster on your hands if you are not prepared.

It's important you consider how you will prepare your property and this should be part of your bushfire survival plan.



A well prepared home is more likely to survive even if you plan on leaving your home early.



It may be easier for you and fire fighters to defend your home if it is properly prepared.



If you have prepared your own home, then you are also helping to protect your neighbours home. A poorly prepared home can put other homes at risk.



If a fire threatens suddenly and you do not have time to leave, a well prepared home will give you more protection than an unprepared home.



Bushfire Survival Plan: Prepare Your Home

Here are a few things you can do to prepare your home:



Cut back overhanging trees or shrubs and dispose of all cuttings appropriately.



Ensure your roof is kept in good condition. Any damaged or missing tiles should be replaced as soon as possible.



Fences that are non-combustible are the most effective at withstanding the intense heat generated by a fire. Keep this in mind when choosing your fences.



Choose to plant trees and shrubs with a lower oil content. These are less likely to ignite in the case of a fire.



Clean the leaves from your roof, gutters and downpipes reguarlarly and fit quality metal gutter guards.



Keep unfloor areas enclosed.



Store any wood piles away from the house and keep them covered.



Do not use garden mulch too close to the house and keep the lawns maintained.



Make sure pressure relief valves on LPG cylinders face outwards so the flame is not directed towards the house.



Ensure you have a long enough hose to reach everywhere it may need to go around the house.



Do not store fammable items too close to the house.



Install metal flywire or solid screens to the outside windows and doors.



Check the condition of external walls and make sure there are no gaps.



If you have a door mat, make sure this is non-combustible.



If you have a water tank, swimming pool or dam, consider installing a static water supply sign.



This is just the beginning of your bushfire survival plan. You then need to decide in the case of a fire whether you will stay and defend your home or leave early. No matter what choice you make, keeping a tidy home and having gutter guards can save your house from unneccessary disaster.

If you’d like more information about gutter guards, contact us at The Leaf Man Australia.