While COVID-19 may have dominated our lives, the devastation of the 2019/2020 bushfires will be forever etched upon the landscape and the soul of the nation. Sadly, uncontrollable bushfires tore through more than 12.6 million hectares of native bushland and rural properties, killing billions of animals, as well as destroying thousands of homes.
Not surprisingly, around 57 per cent of our population were also exposed to smoke from the bushfires. It was a deadly reminder of the dangers many face during the Australia summer.
With another summer upon us, it’s an important time to plan and prepare your property for bushfire season. Here are some tips on how you can prepare your home for bushfires, collated from leading fire and rescue agenciesacross Australia:
Preparing your home 1
- Regularly clear leaves from your gutters, roof and downpipes – fitting metal leaf guards will help.
- Keep your backyard tidy and place any flammable material like wood, paper, boxes and garden furniture away from buildings.
- Install steel mesh screens on windows, doors and vents.
- Enclose open areas under decking/flooring. Also seal any gaps in the roof and wall cladding to prevent embers getting inside.
Preparing your garden 1
- Keep your lawn mowed and overhanging branches trimmed well away from your home.
- Dump any green waste like chopped tree branches, leaves or grass clippings at your local council’s refuse collection centre. Don’t keep anything that could fuel a fire on your property, or dump waste on council reserves or bushland.
- If possible, plant trees and shrubs that are less likely to ignite due to their lower oil content.