Home Innovations Display Centre

Bushfire Precaution Checklist

The recent events throughout country Victoria have been tragic and there is no longer a time when residents in fire prone areas can lower their guard.

There are many things that you can do around the home to make your castle less susceptible to bushfire danger. Regular maintenance and inspections using this checklist will provide a good guide for ongoing awareness of the ever present dangers of the Australian Summer.

Keep up the gardening. Rake up leaves, trim grass and cut back overgrown shrubs and tree branches to be sure of a clean fire break.
Install Gutter Protection and clean out gutters and downpipes regularly.
Remove all rubbish from around the house.
Regularly recycle newspapers. Don't store piles of recycling material close to the house.
Consider non-flamable building materials. Alternate products for decking, stumps, pergolas & cladding.
Store flammable liquids and paint away from the house. Face LPG gas bottle valves away from the house.
Pool chemicals can ignite if placed near other flammable liquids, so store them separately.
Buy a fire extinguisher and fire blanket and know how to use them.
Keep a torch and portable radio with spare batteries.
Think about the impact of a power failure - cordless phones and automatic garage doors won't work. Your mobile phone may not have coverage.
Keep garden hoses connected to outside taps and make sure they reach all parts of your home and garden.
Keep a ladder handy that can reach the roof, plus basic tools like a rake, spade, axe and saw.
Install spark guards in your chimney and clean your chimney every year.
Install fire-resistant mesh screens under verandahs if you live in a bushfire-prone area.
Clearly mark all water sources and keep access clear. Install a roof top sprinkler system.
Prepare an emergency evacuation kit: include valuables, important documents, photos, food and water, first aid kit, pet food and any essential medication.

With no end in sight to the drought and average temperatures expected to rise by as much as three degrees by 2050, it is everyone’s responsibility to take all possible precautions. You could be saving your life and those of your family, friends and neighbours.

HIDC Exhibitor(s) who specialise in this area;

AllClear Leafguard

Aussie Bladda Tank

Aussie Gutter Protection

EnviroGroup

Ocean Windows