Don't let your home become a bushfire statistic
03/01/2008
Amidst today's bushfires that are threatening homes and properties in Parkerville and Stoneville, SGIO urges all WA home owners to take action as soon as they can to protect their homes and remove potential fire hazards.
SGIO Product Manager Dearne Arrah said it is critical that Western Australians take steps to reduce the risk of fire around their homes.
"It is imperative that WA residents be on high alert for potential bushfire dangers around their homes, especially given what we're seeing today in Parkerville and the fact we have such hot weather due to continue through until Monday," said Ms Arrah.
"In order to make sure your home is not one of the statistics, there are really simple steps you can take to protect your home against the threat of bushfires."
Steps include;
- Regular maintenance outside the home, such as raking dry leaves, cutting grass, clearing gutters and down pipes of leaves and debris.
- Ensuring dry timber, rubbish and vegetation are well clear of the house.
- Pruning vegetation surrounding the walls buildings, removing tree branches near power lines.
- Regularly recycling papers, cartons and boxes, not storing them near the house.
- Storing paint and highly flammable liquids away from the house.
- Storing pool chemicals separately from other potentially dangerous chemicals.
- Ensuring garden hoses are kept connected to taps and able to reach all areas of the property.
- Ensuring your home contents and home building insurance is up to date and adequate to replace your home and contents at today's prices.
- Keeping up to date with any bushfire threats in your area via the media, FESA or WA Police.
"Today's fire reinforces to all of us just how important it is to be fire ready," said Ms Arrah. "Bushfires are unpredictable and can move so quickly, they often leave us unprepared. SGIO is urging all households to take every possible precaution to help stay safe."