FIREWISE YOU CAN USE
Awareness of the dynamics of wildfire is the key to preventing an outbreak of fire on your property. Below are excerpts of advice on how to fireproof your home and on how to prepare your family for an emergency fire evacuation.
1 :: Managing fire risks at home
We should all take care to prevent the start of veldfires in our own areas or in natural open spaces. However, not many people know that we can protect our homes where there is a risk from veldfires and that there are easy steps we can take to prevent fire damage to our homes and property.
2 ::Common misconceptions:
Firefighters will protect my home during a veldfire
Most people believe that if there is a fire near or on their property, the Fire & Emergency Services will take care of it. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. The firefighters' first priority is to reduce the risk of loss of life and stop the spread of the runaway fire. Depending on the extent of the fire, this could mean that firefighters cannot always attend to each and every home threatened or save a particular property. Therefore, the homeowner is both the first and the last line of defence against veldfires that strike near urban areas.
There is nothing I can do to protect my home from a really big fire
Most houses that burn down in veldfires, do so after the fire has passed through the area. This is because radiant heat and windblown embers may ignite combustible material around the house. Small outbreaks of fire can be easily extinguished if caught early. However, if a house has been evacuated, no one will be around to extinguish these small fires, and the house may be lost. By maintaining your home carefully and planning for survival, you will reduce the possibility of it catching alight in the first place.
I can wait until the fire approaches before deciding whether to evacuate
It is dangerous to make a last-minute decision to evacuate. Veldfires can move quickly and are unpredictable. Should you be trapped in your car, or worse, stranded on foot, your chance of survival is poor. If you decide to leave your home, you must leave early. First make sure that all the openings around your home are closed. If you do decide to stay, don't change your mind at the last minute. Late evacuation can cause major congestions and could be a killer.
There are several easy and cost-effective ways to protect your property against fire. All it requires is some advance planning and preparation.
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