How to Protect Your Home From Bushfires?
To better protect your home from bushfires, you have to start with getting rid of the threats. Then, for an added layer of protection it also helps to have bushfire-resistant doors and windows. These will increase the chances of survival both of people and the property.
Getting rid of threats
To eliminate threats, it starts with trimming the overhanging trees and shrubs surrounding your home. The area around your home should always be clear and that materials that easily burn should be removed. The goal here is to prevent fire from spreading in the first place by removing the things that will feed it.
Those measures could be regular (e.g. mowing the lawn, clearing the debris) or one-off (removing highly combustible materials around your home). For a more permanent protection though, it’s good to get or maintain adequate insurance about your property and highly valuable belongings. Some losses might be inevitable and you might want to ease the burden somehow (this is where insurance comes in).
Another way to gain permanent protection from bushfires is to install metal fly screens, gutter guards and fences (instead of wood fences). Metal materials can help stop the fire from spreading (in contrast to wood that will feed the fire). Another way is to have the garden beds some distance away from your home (plants will catch fire and spread to your home if they’re just nearby).
Protecting your home from bushfires
Notice that most of the actions mentioned above are about doing something outside. What about your home and main dwelling structure? What can you do for your home to resist fire and better protect your family and assets?
Many homeowners choose to install bushfire-resistant or bushfire-rated doors and windows. These are tested and rated to different fire-related scenarios. In addition, the standards are being continually updated so as to keep up with threats and to provide better protection. For example, the solid timber material of the door would need to have a minimum thickness and density for it to be called bushfire rated.
If you have questions and concerns about doors and their bushfire resistance, contact us today here. We can help you make the right and most practical choice in better protecting your family and assets from bushfires and other related threats.