Keeping your Property Safe During Bushfire Season

In Australia, we’re known for our hot weather and outdoor lifestyle. However, the heat comes at a price and the summer months often see the devastation of bushfire across the country. At GSK Insurance Brokers, we’ve seen our share of property insurance claims following bushfire and the devastating consequences it can have on families. Today, we’ll be looking at what you can do to keep your property safe this bushfire season.

Protecting your property

Maintain your garden – Keep your gardens in check during fire season to prevent fire from escalating. Keep your lawn short, rake dead leaves on a regular basis and remove excessive undergrowth.

Clean your gutters – A build-up of debris in your gutters is the perfect fuel for fires so keep on top of gutter maintenance during fire season. Also, consider installing metal gutter guards to prevent debris and embers getting into the gutters.

Install mesh screens – Take as many precautions as you can to avoid embers getting into the house and one simple step is to install metal mesh fly screens. These prevent embers from getting in through windows.

Keep trees in check – Keep an eye on the trees in your backyard and remove any branches which are hanging too close to the house. In some instances, you may have to remove trees if they’re too close.

Inspect your roof – Missing or cracked roof tiles are the perfect spot for embers to get into the house so inspect your roof and have repairs carried out as necessary. Remember that a metal roof is better in bushfire risk areas.

Seal doors and windows – Get rid of as many gaps as possible by fitting seals to the windows and doors. This means there is less risk of embers getting in.

Move flammable items – Keep flammable items such as chemicals in a location away from the house. This means that if they catch on fire, they won’t pose a risk to the house itself.

Have a plan in place – Even if you’ve never been faced with bushfire before, ensure you have an emergency plan in place if you’re in a bushfire prone area. A solid plan means that you know exactly what to do if fire hits.

Have the right insurance

No matter how well prepared you are, there may come a time where your property is damaged by bushfire. For this reason, it’s essential that you have property insurance in place so you’re protected from the financial impact of repairing any damage.

When it comes to property insurance Australia, GSK Insurance Brokers can make sure you have the right cover in place. We offer fire insurance for the home, which is especially important if you live in a bushfire prone area. Don’t take any risks when it comes to your property owners insurance – speak to one of our brokers and we can ensure you have the right cover in place.

For fire insurance coverage, have a chat to the team at GSK Insurance Brokers today on (08) 9478 1933.