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With the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) raising a warning for a hot and dry summer ahead, property owners are being urged to get on the front foot now to safeguard their homes from fire.
Flagging that the likelihood of El Nino weather conditions developing this year has reached 70 per cent, the BOM is cautioning that there is a high chance of drier-than-usual weather in eastern Australia and it’s more likely to be warmer than average for the southern two-thirds of the country in the coming months.
Already, the NSW Rural Fire Service Association (RFSA), has started to prepare for an early start to the bushfire season due to the milder winter experienced this year, while experts are urging all Australians to act early to ready their properties.
Angus Raine, executive chairman of Raine & Horne, noted that Australians everywhere should be on guard, with “plenty we can do to ensure our homes are safe this bushfire season, whether we live on Sydney’s leafy North Shore or near a major national park”.
“By taking some precautions, property owners can significantly reduce the risk of fire damage to their properties and enhance the overall safety of their communities during the bushfire season,” he said.
One important measure is ensuring that all property owners have a hose that can reach to the perimeter of the property, and checking that hose and all taps and exterior plumbing features are in working order.
“Facing a bushfire with a faulty or inadequate hose can be a dire situation, so it’s essential to be prepared,” noted Kristian Bingham of Raine & Horne Gosford and East Gosford, which services a number of areas considered high-risk for bushfires.
He also advised that home owners check for proper storage of combustible materials.
“Take a thorough look around your home for any recycling materials, particularly flammable liquids, or paint, located close to the property. Such items can act as fuel for fires and should be stored safely away from the property.
“If you use gas bottles for barbecues, keep them in a fire-safe location. It’s crucial to exercise extreme caution when using a barbecue during blustery bushfire conditions,” he added.
Moreover, on Sydney’s nature-rich upper north shore, Chris Hopkins of Raine & Horne Hornsby reminded residents to stay on top of regular lawn and tree maintenance and properly dispose of clippings.
Tony Hopper of Mollymook/Ulladulla/Milton agreed.
“If home owners are unable to trim the trees themselves, consider hiring a gardener or arborist to prune the branches away from the house, reducing the risk of fire spreading.”
Mr Hopper also reminded residents to ensure that wood piles are stored away from homes and that gutters are cleared.
If you live near a bushland, it’s also important to create a cleared firebreak, which can be done with help from the local council or RFS.
And touching base with your community, neighbours and local groups can be invaluable for accessing resources now, or staying informed if fires become a threat in the months ahead.
“Working together will reduce the risk to everyone in your neighbourhood,” Mr Hopkins reminded.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Grace Ormsby
Grace is a journalist across Momentum property and investment brands. Grace joined Momentum Media in 2018, bringing with her a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) from the University of Newcastle. She’s passionate about delivering easy to digest information and content relevant to her key audiences and stakeholders.
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