HOPE FOR THE BEST WHILE BEING PREPARED
We’ve written about how devastating the Black Summer bushfires were, and how as summer begins in Australia over 1 million acres have already burned…
We’ve also written about how experts have coined the phrase “eco-anxiety”, and how in the grand scheme of things eco-anxiety may not be a bad thing, it may be a “saving grace” when it comes to the environment.
Hopefully, as more and more people wake up to the fact that we are no longer in the climate change era, but rather we are in, according to the United Nations, the era of Global Boiling – the world is realizing that we have to make changes – and now.
To help reduce your eco-anxiety, we’ve started to compile a list of things that YOU can join us in doing today, should the need ever arise for you to evacuate your home.
NOTE: This is NOT a comprehensive list, it’s a beginning guideline to give you IDEAS and a few TIPS – think of this as an “outline” to creating your own bushfire preparation evacuation plan.
We encourage you to not only take action but to share your experiences and best tips on the relevant posts on our social media accounts. Scroll down for details.
OCTOBER 25, 2023
AGAIN, WE URGE YOU TO HAVE A PLAN
HAVE A FAMILY MEETING
Make sure that every member of your family are prepared, should a bushfire occur.
Ensure that you have an emergency plan in place and that your emergency kits are ready in case you need them.
Our team members have “bug out bags” and “get home bags”.
Bug-out bags are filled with enough supplies to get us through three days away from home and placed by doorways. They are left out in the open during summers like this one where we are in a serious drought. At other times of the year, they may be inside a closet close to a doorway. Being handy and accessible is key.
If you have pets, you’ll want to consider their needs in your emergency kits/bug-out bags – and have leashes, halters, crates, etc., close to your home’s exits.
“Get home bags” live in our vehicles and are designed to help us stay safe, should we be away from home and not able to return due to a bushfire or other emergency.
Our team members also keep sturdy shoes and or boots with socks by their bedside – because you never know when an evacuation order may come – and how quickly you may have to leave.
Stay informed of weather conditions and advisories in your area.
Be especially aware of potentially triggering weather conditions, such as droughts and lightning storms.
Follow the social media accounts of your local and regional governments.
Know and practice your primary escape route, as well as multiple routes out of your community.
Cell towers may be down during bushfires, “old fashioned” maps and knowing the routes in your area can be life savers.
Remember that evacuation routes can be impacted by the bushfires.
The Rural Fire Service in each state and territory provides advice and jurisdiction-specific guidance.
Please don’t think you can figure it out if the need arises. You do NOT want to be making poor decisions under stressful conditions with adrenaline flowing through your body.
Make it a priority to think things through and have a discussion with your family BEFORE the need arises.
PREPARE YOUR HOME
As you watch national and international news you know that it doesn’t matter where you live, in this day and age, no one is safe from the threat of bushfires, not even those in major cities.
Again, this is NOT meant to be a comprehensive list – it is meant to give you an outline – to get you thinking and planning in advance.
Remove any fire hazards in and around your home, such as dried-out branches, leaves and debris, including firewood stored close to your home.
Keep a sprinkler and hoses that are in good working condition in an accessible location.
Make sure smoke alarms are placed on every level of the home, and preferably in every bedroom. Test your smoke detectors once per month.
Batteries should be replaced every 6 months, while the alarm itself should be replaced once every 10 years.
Consult with your local fire department or a qualified engineer about making your home fire-resistant.
If you are on a farm/ranch, and have to evacuate – leaving livestock in a shelter may be the wrong thing to do because a bushfire could trap animals inside, causing them to burn alive.
If – in a worst-case scenario – you are forced to leave livestock behind please don’t leave them locked up in a barn or shelter, instead lock them out of barns, etc. and leave them with an option to move and flee.
OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER IN ADVANCE
Make sure that all adult members of your household know how to turn off the utilities in your residence. You may be instructed by local authorities to shut them off.
If doing so requires tools, keep them close to where they will be needed. You do not want to have to go searching for the right tool in an emergency situation.
Make sure that your vehicle is kept topped up with fuel.
Get in the habit of not letting your fuel tank get below 1/2 full. If evacuation becomes necessary, it will be hard to stop for gas. There may be power outages and fueling pumps, payment methods may not be working – or there may be long lineups.
Take an extra few minutes to stop and fill up before going home so that should you need to evacuate you are not short on fuel.
Depending on your region or the distance that you might need to drive, you may want to purchase additional approved gas or diesel cans.
Remember should you need to evacuate, you don’t want to be thinking “If only”.
Get in the habit of parking your vehicles, positioned forward out of the driveway. Keep vehicle windows closed.
Be extra diligent about keeping your mobile devices fully charged – be sure to have a charging device/adapter in your vehicles – and extra cords to charge your devices in your “bug out” bags — and please be extra aware of where your keys are.
If you need assistance, place a HELP sign in your window.
Check on elderly relatives and neighbours to see if they require assistance.
Ensure that pets and/or service animals are accounted for. Be sure to include them in your evacuation plans.
AS A BUSHFIRE IS APPROACHING
Monitor the bushfire’s progress through radio, television or local social media accounts for warnings or information from authorities and emergency officials who coordinate evacuation plans.
Enlist the aid of a friend or relative who live outside of your area to help you monitor – those who live outside of your immediate area may be especially helpful as you gather your family, pets, livestock and emergency supplies because they can keep monitoring and be on top of the latest news and recommendations on your behalf.
Check on neighbours and the elderly – please don’t assume that they know what is going on – that a bushfire is approaching.
As mentioned above it is helpful to be connected with the social media accounts of your local and regional governments before an emergency happens.
Move all combustibles (firewood, patio furniture) away from the house. Move propane and natural gas barbeques into an open space away from other buildings.
Double-check that your vehicles are facing outward.
Gather extra fuel tanks – and place them in your vehicle.
Make sure the windows are CLOSED on your vehicles – you don’t want sparks or embers starting a fire inside of your vehicle.
Pack your emergency kit(s) and any valuables, important papers and documents – or items that cannot be replaced in your vehicle, be prepared should you need to evacuate.
Cover vents, windows, and other openings of your home with duct tape and/or precut pieces of plywood. This helps prevent sparks or embers from entering your home.
Place a ladder on the front of your house leading to the roof to aid firefighters.
Hook up garden hoses and sprinklers – make them as visible as possible.
If you think you should leave. Listen to yourself and LEAVE. You do NOT have to wait for officials to tell you to evacuate.
The second you have the feeling that you should leave – do so. Do NOT hesitate.
We can NOT stress this enough.
SHOULD YOU HAVE TO EVACUATE –
OR DECIDE TO BEFORE AN OFFICIAL ORDER…
Be aware of any downed power lines which can cause electrocution.
Be sure to stay at least 10 metres away from them to avoid injury.
Do not attempt to drive through areas that may be affected by downed power lines.
Do not attempt to drive through a bushfire.
If possible before leaving…
Close all windows and doors in the house.
Cover vents, windows, and other openings of the house with duct tape and/or precut pieces of plywood.
Turn off propane or natural gas. (Move any propane barbeques into the open, away from structures.)
Turn on the lights in the house, porch, garage and yard to aid visibility in case smoke fills the house.
Again, everything we’ve shared here is to act as an outline, a guideline and by no means is a complete list or evacuation/emergency plan.
We hope that it will help you get started, not only thinking about but taking action on a plan for your family.
Save Our Woodlands is an environmentally conscious group of volunteers dedicated to preserving threatened birds, animals and ecosystems in the woodlands of New South Wales, Australia.
Only 15% of our woodlands remain, the rest has been cleared for agriculture.
Save Our Woodlands Inc. secures and protects woodlands in NSW and pays landholders, in perpetuity, to conserve, enhance and re-establish native woodlands on THEIR land, and to manage these woodlands, so they are maintained.
BUT we need YOUR help. Together we can bring about change. Please consider donating.
People tend to think that woodlands are “just bush,” consequently, over 85% of the native woodlands in New South Wales, Australia have been replaced by agriculture.
Donate $10 per month & help protect critical habitats. By doing so YOU will prevent further species from extinction.
Our work is only possible with your support.
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