If you live in a heavily wooded area, it doesn't take much for a fire to spread from treetop to treetop. Long before the emergency evacuation crew knocks at your door, here are a few things you can do to protect your family and your belongings:
Getaway bag: When evacuation is necessary, the time is short, so have some essential items in a duffel bag placed near your main entrance. In a case where some of your family is away, this will allow you to safeguard their most important possessions. Copies of your important documents, and life saving prescription drugs should be included in your bag. Nice-to-haves include toiletries, electronics, etc.
Important Data: Back up your data on an external hard drive automatically, so that if you need to leave in a hurry, you can just grab the drive, and have more time to get other irreplaceable items.
Keep an eye up high: For those who have power lines, always be certain that there is nothing touching them, and that trees are not allowed to be too close. Heavy winds can bring down trees, as well as fire.
Create a zone of protection: If you can ensure the area within 10 metres of your home is free of trees, flammable vegetation and other combustibles, you'll go a long way towards protecting your home.
Take steps to prevent fire: Around half of wild fires are actually the doing of a careless person. An extremely dangerous and costly forest fire can come from any spark, from a cigarette butt, a careless camper, or even a controlled burn that is done improperly.
Don't build camp fires when the weather's been dry, and never smoke in fire hazard areas. It's shocking, but some people throw burning cigarettes from their vehicle even today, don't be one of those people. Dry vegetation on the side of the road can catch fire quite quickly from an still burning cigarette butt.
If there is any extra vegetation near your house, clear it away. Be certain to choose fireproof building materials when building a home, if you can. This could include fire resistant shingles, tempered glass windows, a spark arrestor on your chimney. Your home insurance premiums can also be reduced by taking precautions like these.
Take the time to create a detailed evacuation procedure. Review the plans with your family in the household so they understand the procedure. And do keep an emergency kit on hand. This should include non-perishable foods and at least a three-day supply of drinking water. Other helpful items include a portable radio, a flashlight, batteries, and a first-aid kit.
If you have a hot tub or pool, keep them filled with water, as well as garbage cans or other kinds of containers. Evacuate your home immediately, if ordered by a civil authority. To make your home more simple to recognize, use address numbers that are fireproof. Firefighters will find your house much more quickly if you take that precaution.
And of course, call 911 if you see any sign of a wildfire.
Having adequate home insurance is even more important when you live in an area that is more susceptible to wildfires. A wildfire could strike at any time, so be sure that your home insurance is adequate, so that if a tragedy occurs and your home is lost, you can have it rebuilt without losing everything.
Getaway bag: When evacuation is necessary, the time is short, so have some essential items in a duffel bag placed near your main entrance. In a case where some of your family is away, this will allow you to safeguard their most important possessions. Copies of your important documents, and life saving prescription drugs should be included in your bag. Nice-to-haves include toiletries, electronics, etc.
Important Data: Back up your data on an external hard drive automatically, so that if you need to leave in a hurry, you can just grab the drive, and have more time to get other irreplaceable items.
Keep an eye up high: For those who have power lines, always be certain that there is nothing touching them, and that trees are not allowed to be too close. Heavy winds can bring down trees, as well as fire.
Create a zone of protection: If you can ensure the area within 10 metres of your home is free of trees, flammable vegetation and other combustibles, you'll go a long way towards protecting your home.
Take steps to prevent fire: Around half of wild fires are actually the doing of a careless person. An extremely dangerous and costly forest fire can come from any spark, from a cigarette butt, a careless camper, or even a controlled burn that is done improperly.
Don't build camp fires when the weather's been dry, and never smoke in fire hazard areas. It's shocking, but some people throw burning cigarettes from their vehicle even today, don't be one of those people. Dry vegetation on the side of the road can catch fire quite quickly from an still burning cigarette butt.
If there is any extra vegetation near your house, clear it away. Be certain to choose fireproof building materials when building a home, if you can. This could include fire resistant shingles, tempered glass windows, a spark arrestor on your chimney. Your home insurance premiums can also be reduced by taking precautions like these.
Take the time to create a detailed evacuation procedure. Review the plans with your family in the household so they understand the procedure. And do keep an emergency kit on hand. This should include non-perishable foods and at least a three-day supply of drinking water. Other helpful items include a portable radio, a flashlight, batteries, and a first-aid kit.
If you have a hot tub or pool, keep them filled with water, as well as garbage cans or other kinds of containers. Evacuate your home immediately, if ordered by a civil authority. To make your home more simple to recognize, use address numbers that are fireproof. Firefighters will find your house much more quickly if you take that precaution.
And of course, call 911 if you see any sign of a wildfire.
Having adequate home insurance is even more important when you live in an area that is more susceptible to wildfires. A wildfire could strike at any time, so be sure that your home insurance is adequate, so that if a tragedy occurs and your home is lost, you can have it rebuilt without losing everything.
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For further details, please visit Saskatchewan house insurance, or if you're a first time home buyer visit www.squareoneinsurance.ca.
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