A recent report in the ABC quoted leading experts on the need for Australians to be prepared for the threat of bushfires all year round.
Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre CEO Richard Thornton says that “we need to think about being prepared all year round for fires – rather than wait for the fire season to be declared; people need to be prepared for a fire at any time of the year.”
Bushfire seasons around the world are now starting earlier and finishing later. These changing patterns underline the importance for Australian households to take measures in preparing their homes.
The NSW Rural Fire Service has published its top five actions to make your home safer:
- Trim overhanging trees and shrubs
- Mow grass and remove the cuttings
- Remove material that can burn around your home (e.g. door mats, wood piles, mulch, leaves, paint, outdoor furniture etc.)
- Clear and remove all the debris and leaves from the gutters surrounding your home
- Prepare a sturdy hose or hoses that will reach all around your home. Make sure you’ve got a reliable source of water.
The NSW Rural Fire Service also recommends more permanent protections for your home, including installing metal fly screens on all windows and vents.
Security screens from Crimsafe Security Systems are tested to meet the highest levels in bushfire protection, with Fire-Tuff stainless steel mesh specifically designed to a size and shape (1.5mm x 1.5mm aperture) that meets the requirements of the Australian Standard AS 3959-2009 bushfire protection guidelines.
Learn more about Crimsafe’s bushfire protection.
