How You Can Protect Your Family With A Fire Shelter


by N Baulch - Date: 2009-11-04 - Word Count: 372 Share This!

Each summer the news media is full of accounts of the devastation caused by wildfires. In the U.S. the majority of these fires were in California, but in recent years wildfires are increasingly common nationwide. Australia has long combated enormous brush fires and many residents there have learned about the benefits of a constructing a personal fire shelter.

Sometimes also called fire bunkers, these small buildings are used as a safe place for family members who have not been evacuated by authorities at the start of a wildfire situation. Some use the shelters as a place for pets to be safe for a short period if the owners need to evacuate. Those who live in wildfire-prone areas may also opt to have a bunker available in the advent of the approach of a fire at night time as an extra security measure.

Unlike the fall-out shelters of the 1960's, a fire shelter is not designed to be built under a home or in a basement. The shelter should not be near your house, trees, garages or other out-buildings and your neighbors' property lines. The natural slope of the property and drainage outfall is also key considerations in the placement of the shelter.

It is possible to buy prefabricated basic shelter units and careful consideration should be placed on the size needed to accommodate your family. Primary is the need for careful calculation of the air space needed for each individual and how to best approach proper ventilation. Secondary considerations are whether or not the shelter will be used for overnight protection and the amount of supplies necessary for these accommodations.

A fire shelter can be constructed from a number of different materials, most commonly brick or concrete block. Fire proof blocks and bricks are available from most major home/construction supply sources. Another option is using pre-cast concrete tanks that are specifically modified for shelter purposes.

The Internet is a great resource for learning more about the use and construction of fire shelters. There are a number on online resources for materials and supplies. Spend a little time to learn more about how to protect your family from wildfires and one day you may find that the time that you have spent preparing will save your life.

Related Tags: fire shelter, fire bunker, fire shelters, bushfire shelter, fireproof shelter, fireproof bunker

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