Fireco’s Tips to Protect Your Northland Rural Property from Fire Hazards.
Living in rurally in Northland comes with many advantages – peace, privacy, and a close connection to nature. However, rural living also brings a higher risk of fire compared to living in urban areas. Fires may go undetected longer, and emergency services can take more time to arrive due to larger travel distances. Water supplies may also be more limited in Northland rural regions, especially in summer and drought season, making fire suppression more challenging.
By working with Fireco and following these fire safety tips, you can protect your rural home, family, and property from fire:
Smoke alarms are critical for early fire detection. Install them in key areas of your home and test them periodically to be sure they work properly. Early detection can give you precious time to react and escape.
Using a photoelectric smoke alarm is recommended by Fire Emergency NZ and Fireco, as their ten year long-life battery means they require less frequent checking and replacement, plus their photoelectric technology considerably reduces false alarms and detects smoke much faster than traditional alarms. Find more information here.
Escape Plan
Create a comprehensive escape plan that covers both getting out of the house and off your property. Try to regularly practice this plan with your family and anyone residing on your property to ensure everyone knows what to do in a fire emergency. While a good escape plan is important for every household, this is especially important in rural areas in Northland where help may take longer to arrive.
Access
Ensure your RAPID (Rural Address Property Identification) rural property identification number is clearly visible from the road. This ensures that emergency services can quickly locate your property in an emergency, saving valuable time.
Make sure emergency vehicles can access your property easily. Your driveway should have a clearance of at least four meters wide and high, with ample turning space for fire trucks, as well as access to water for firefighting efforts. Also, have a garden hose connected and long enough to reach around your entire house, as this can be critical in the initial stages of a fire.
Landscaping
Many homeowners want to plant a garden that suits their home and has plenty of pretty flowers and nice foliage, but when choosing your plants you should also consider their flammability. You can reduce the risk of fire spread by using fire-resistant plants in your landscaping, and also by spacing them sufficiently. Fire-resistant plants might not be complete fireproof, but they do help by having moist leaves and watery sap, as well as little dead/dry wood. According to FENZ, most deciduous trees and shrubs are fire-resistant.
Try to create a buffer of fire-resistant plants around your home and keep the grass near your house green and mown. Clear any trees and bushes near buildings, and manage your site by creating fire breaks.
Home Maintenance
Keep your home fire-safe by cleaning your gutters and removing flammable materials from beneath the house. Embers can easily ignite dry leaves and debris, starting a fire. Keeping your property clear of flammable materials, especially along property boundaries and road edges, can help prevent fire from spreading rapidly.
Store firewood, gas, and other flammable materials away from your house. This can greatly reduce the risk of fire spreading quickly to your home in the event of an emergency.
Fire Extinguishers
Install dry powder fire extinguishers near heat sources like stoves, fireplaces, and fuel storage areas, and be sure to have them regularly checked and serviced with Fireco to make sure they’re in good working condition. These can help put out small fires before they spread. Find more information on the correct kind of fire extinguisher for your rural property here.
Machinery Safety
When used unsafely, machinery can start large fires that spread rapidly. Be sure that your machinery and equipment is properly maintained, and that fire extinguishers are accessible. Check for bird nests in or around equipment, as these are a common cause of machinery fires. FENZ also recommends wetting down areas before using machinery during dry periods and avoid using equipment during extreme fire danger.
Avoiding Escaped Burns
In New Zealand, many wildfires start from escaped controlled burns or agricultural fires. Before using fire as a land management tool, check Northland’s fire season status and obtain any necessary permits. Controlled burns should only be conducted when you have full control and the right conditions to prevent them from getting out of hand.
Discouraging Arson and Illegal Activity
Arson is a major cause of forest fires in New Zealand. Try to discourage vandals by installing locked gates, barriers, or other deterrents to limit vehicle access and report any suspicious activity to the police or Fire and Emergency New Zealand.
Responding to a Fire
If a fire starts, only attempt to put it out it if it’s safe to do so. Call 111 immediately, provide clear information, including your RAPID number, what’s burning, and the wind direction, and stay calm.
Make sure to inform your neighbours if they might be affected and prepare to assist emergency services by providing additional details or helping direct them to water sources on your property.
Rural homes are often more vulnerable to fire, but by implementing these safety measures, you can significantly reduce your risk. Every proactive step you take makes a difference, contact Fireco for safety equipment and advice to protect your Northland property today.
