Are you bushfire ready?
Do you know what to do in the event of a bush fire?
If you live rurally, in dry areas, near scrub or forest or have large crops or tree plantings, being prepared to protect your home, life and livelihood is essential.
A fire plan is the first step to ensuring you are on the way to being bushfire ready. The second step is to ensure you, your equipment and your home are protected.
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Let us help you choose the right engine driven pump for your needs today … and receive a free hose kit valued at $539.35*!
*Hose kit includes: 6m suction hose with foot valve and 20m discharge hose with nozzle for the best performance.
How to plan and prepare
Essentially, good planning is what saves lives and property in the event of bush or scrub fire.
- One of the first things to understand is fire danger ratings, such as low-moderate, extreme and catastrophic, and what they mean.
- Don’t “wait and see” during a bushfire. Your safest option is to leave early. Try and either leave very early in the morning or even before, at night when it’s cooler.
- There is some bushfire preparation you can do early, especially around the garden and house (see more below). If you know you are going away on holidays to an area that may be prone to bushfire, understand the dangers and escape routes, where to go and who to keep in contact with for information on any situation that may come up – local radio and fire and emergency services are important contacts.
- It’s vital you are prepared and know what to do in a bushfire. It’s much harder to make decisions with a clear head when a bushfire is heading towards you or your home.
- Bushfires radiate heat and this radiant heat is a killer. You need to know how to minimise the danger with protective clothing and identifying places to shelter.
- Talk with your family about your fire safety plan so everyone knows what they should do before and during an emergency.
When should you start preparing?
These questions will help you get organised
- Have you checked your water supply and ensured you have at least one sturdy hose that’s long enough to reach your house? Ideally you’ll have access to a water supply for firefighting purposes as well as a firefighting pump and hoses (see ‘The right equipment will help protect your property’ below).
- Have you mowed the lawn and removed cuttings and other vegetation which can pose a fire risk?
- Have you cleared materials from your garden that may be a hazard such as wood piles, leaves, mulch, unused furniture and building supplies?
- Have you cleared your gutters of leaves and twigs recently?
- Have you trimmed trees with overhanging branches around your property which may make it easy for fire to spread?
- Have you ensured hazardous items such as gas cylinders and other flammables are stored or positioned safely, ideally well away from your home?
- Have you minimised the likelihood of ember attack and spot fires? Here are some simple tips:
- Install metal guards on guttering
- Replace damaged or missing roof tiles
- Install metal mesh screens on windows and doors
- Fit seals around doors and windows
- Enclose the space under the house
- Have you checked your insurance is up to date and the sum insured is adequate?
The right equipment will help protect your property
You need an engine powered pump for both asset protection as well as post fire management of burning fences, surrounding vegetation and other structures including buildings.
If you already own a Davey Firefighter, there are some simple, but important steps you need to take to get your pump ready for the coming season.
Check out this list of recommendations for effective management and maintenance for Firefighter owners.
If you don’t have a Firefighter pump, don’t wait for a bushfire, find the DaveyFirefighter pump that’s right for you NOW.