- Remove branches that could cause power line short circuits and check electrical installations regularly.
- Restrict the use of farm machinery on days when the fire danger is high.
- Take great care when using welding, cutting and grinding equipment.
- Establish firebreaks between your land and roads or railways.
- Adopt safety standards for smoking, burning rubbish and disposal of hot ash.
- Make sure all fires are extinguished properly before leaving – never leave a fire unattended.
- Have your own well-maintained fire fighting equipment on a farm.
- Train your staff in firefighting techniques.
Stages of a veldfire
- Embers and smoke.
- Fire front.
- Final stage.
What you should do when veldfire approaches
- Make decisions early – carry out the planned response, that is, to evacuate or to stay?
- Dress in protective clothing.
- Move livestock to safer locations.
- Listen to radio for news.
- Wet garden and house especially on the side of the approaching fire.
- Plug gutters and fill them with water
- Fill baths, buckets and dust bins with water in case the water supply fails and have mops handy.
- Seal any gaps between doors and floor using wet towels or similar items.
- Close up the house and screen off the windows.
- If you decide to stay, go indoors when the fire arrives and remain there until the fire front has passed.
- Take fire hoses and other fire fighting equipment indoors with you.
- Patrol the house interior including checking the roof cavity and extinguish any small fires immediately.
- Remain vigilant after the fire front has passed.
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