Bushfire Prevention and Gutter Guards

As Canberra is a city that is designed and built around and within a bush and grass landscape, bushfires are an unavoidable aspect of life in the ACT. The hot, dry, and windy conditions of Canberra Summers elevate fire dangers – especially if you live within bushfire prone suburbs of the ACT.

Bushfires can start in a variety of ways including:

• Bushland catching alight from vehicles that are on fire from being in accidents or purposely lit.
• Cigarette butts being carelessly thrown onto the ground and sparking any dry debris.
• Lightning.
• Burning off or back burning that gets out of control.

ACT bushfire season usually commences on the 1^stof October and runs through until the 31^stof March. It is important that you and your family prepare yourselves and your homes in case of emergency.

Preparing your Home and yourself for Bushfire Season

A lot of bushfires start without warning, and it is best to have bushfire prevention strategies in place. Some steps that you can take to prepare your home and yourself are:

• Knowing your risk. Check if your house is located in a bushfire prone zone.
• Plan exit routes in case of emergency evacuations.
• Have bushfire plan.
• Cut back any overhanging trees or shrubs and dispose of all cuttings appropriately.
• Clean leaves away from your roof, gutters, and downpipes.
• Have a hose that is long enough to reach every part of your house. Or have a sprinkler system.
• Keep mulch away from the house and keep grass short. 
• Keep emergency supplies on hand. This can include water, food, blankets, medicine, a first aid kit, etc.

If you would like more information of bushfires and bushfire prevention, visit the Emergency Services Agency website, www.esa.act.gov.au/bushfireready/

Bushfire Prevention and Gutter Guards

Gutter guards are installed on roofs to allow water to flow through whilst also preventing debris from going into your gutters and downpipes.

When installed correctly, gutter guards can act as a barrier that stops debris from building up and drying out in your gutters. Ensuring that debris is not left to build up in your gutter is essential as it can be used as fuel for flying embers, leading to your home catching fire and causing irreversible damage.

Similar to having metal flyscreens on your doors and windows rather than plastic in fire prone areas, installing a metal gutter guard is recommended. Metal gutter guards can clip onto your gutters to prevent any debris from entering them and they are also fire resistant – helping to prevent embers from catching light in your gutters. Gutter guards made out of plastic netting are not recommended as they can melt and cause more damage to your home rather than helping to protect it. 

Do you want to install gutter guards to the gutters around your home? Do you need to take some further preventative action such as installing a new garden tap so a hose can reach your entire property? Canberra Plumbing and Drains is here to help. Give our friendly office team a call on 0474 488 899 to book your appointment with one of our highly skilled technicians today!