Summer is here. For many of us this means barbeques, long days at the beach and a holiday somewhere. But summer can also be nerve-racking, with the threat of a bushfire looming in the background.

Hundreds of homes are destroyed in bushfires every year in Australia, and the most common cause is ember attack. Burning twigs and leaves are carried by the wind and land on or around houses, which can start a new fire more than 100 metres from the main blaze. 

All bushfire-prone properties are susceptible to ember attack, even those rated BAL-LOW. To find out if you are living in a designated bushfire-prone area or what your property's Bushfire Attack Level is, contact your local council.

While those building new homes in bushfire prone areas will be subject to relevant building requirements, there is no obligation for those in existing homes to make any changes. However, a few simple home improvements could mean peace of mind during the bushfire season. 

The first priority for those wanting to actively improve their home’s resistance to ember attack is to address any gaps, cracks or areas where embers or fuel can lodge. Gaps greater than 3mm should be sealed to reduce the likelihood of embers settling on or inside a home.

Next, external surfaces of the house should be made non-combustible where possible, including walls, fascias, roofs and floors. Depending on your budget and your property's BAL, this may mean replacement of the existing materials, adding a cover (such as an enclosure for the sub-frame of your deck), or adding products to make existing materials non-combustible. 

Finally, you should always stay on top of vegetation around the home throughout the summer months. We all know we should be clearing the gutters, but you also need to keep lawns mown and remove any flammable materials such as firewood or rubbish from around the property.

Beyond this, there are a number of major and minor adjustments you can make to your home to improve its resistance to ember attack. The parts of the house most vulnerable to ember attack are flooring systems, walls, fascias, windows, external doors, vents, weepholes, roofs, eaves, gutters and downpipes. The Country Fire Authority of Victoria has prepared many resources that are useful for homeowners all over Australia, including this detailed guide to retrofitting your home for bushfire protection. 

Every step, no matter how big or small, will make a difference in protecting your home. Remember that protecting your home is only one component in your overall bushfire survival plan. 

Resources:

CFA: Understanding Your Property's Risk Level

CFA: Fire Behaviour Information

CFA: Fire Ready Kit

Links: 

Non-Combustible DecoDeck
Non-Combustible DecoClad