This week we’ve seen some eye-opening bush and wildfires – not only here in Oz, but elsewhere across the planet.
For instance, we heard that, on a single day, there were 85 bushfires in New South Wales alone and at the same time more than 180,000 people were undertaking mandatory evacuations in vicinity of Santa Rosa California – a well-to-do winery region. More than two million people across this part of America were thrown into darkness because of electricity blackouts; some lasting for 5 days. And the fires weren’t discriminating: Arnold Schwarzenegger was driven from his home alongside vineyard workers etc. Whether rich or poor, the message was: be prepared.
So how will you respond if fire threatens you or your loved ones this summer – or any other summer for that matter? Are you prepared for the unexpected? Have you assessed your bushfire risk? And are you prepared to channel your inner Boy Scout if the fit hits the shan?
We recommend preparing - and sharing with your loved ones - an equipment and action checklist before you were wishing you had one. There are many versions readily available online and they all have one thing in common: they’ll help ensure that you won’t be running around like a headless chook when you need to be calm, focussed and ready to act in response to an emergency. Become familiar too with how you’ll know that trouble is brewing as different states/countries have different monitoring and alert systems.
Also, start preparing your home to make it more bushfire safe. A lot of what you need to do is basic common sense when you think about it, like: mow your lawn, trim overhanging trees, remove combustible material (this will need to include doormats and outdoor furniture if a fire threat becomes imminent); and clear your rain and storm water gutters. Pretty straightforward eh?
Now, the next bit is harder – but nevertheless needs serious thought. Ask yourself, what would you do to fight fire if the mains water was unavailable? Do you have access to a rainwater tank, pool or dam for extra water - and do you have hoses and pumps suitable to access these precious resources?
If you’ve done all these things, you’re doing well. But if you get caught in a bushfire emergency, you’ll also need to understand the principles of bushfire survival. These basic principles are:
· Remain calm and do not panic.
· Stay situationally aware: If in doubt – leave. And leave early.
o Spot fires may appear anywhere, so always be aware of changes in conditions.
· Carry water bottles and ensure they are full at all times.
· Ensure that you’re wearing protective clothing as a shield against heat radiation.
o Leave as little of the body exposed as possible.
o Wear full-length sleeves and trousers buttoned all the way up, and
o Wear natural, not synthetic materials (which melt in the heat of a fire, and can cause severe burns).
o Note that woollen materials are the least susceptible to burning.
· If caught in a bushfire, don’t try to run-out of the fire by going up a hill. A fire may run up to 16 times faster uphill than it does downhill.
o Travel only downhill; follow streams or ridges which lead down into valleys.
o Never run through a fire unless you can clearly see through the other side.
· A burnt area is the safest place to be; always take advantage of it when possible.
o If necessary use fire to fight fire to enlarge a safe burnt area around you.
o Take note of safe areas such as creeks, dams, dugouts etc.
o Take advantage of large bare spots and rocky areas if the need arises.
· Avoid elevated water tanks; a body immersed in lukewarm water cannot sweat.
o If the water temperature gets up to around 46°C (which is quite possible in the midst of a bushfire), you’ll collapse after approx 3 minutes and thus drown in a fire (or is that stew?).
· Limit your breathing rate; when smoke is dense, wait for the cool pockets of fresh air before filling your lungs; the air nearest the ground is the freshest and coolest.
o If you don’t have a mask it may be necessary to wet a peice of clothing, tie it over your face and lie face down behind something which will shield you from radiated heat.
· A vehicle can offer good protection to the occupant if caught in a fire:
o Close all windows, cover yourself with a woollen blanket and remain inside the vehicle until the fire passes.
o Note that the danger of a fuel tank exploding is minimal: circumstances where this has occurred are generally attributed to a fault in the fuel system.
Take note, Take Heed and as we always say take the time to - Prepare, Respond, Prevail.
Note: This advice is intended to get you thinking about how you’re going to prepare for a bushfire this season. We’ve drawn together a bunch of guidance, based on our own knowledge and advice published by several emergency services – most of it readily available online. So, take responsibility for your own safety and start upskilling now – before your life depends on it.
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