SWELLENDAM NEWS - Members of the public in this town are invited to a free talk on how to protect themselves against unwanted wildfires at 18:00 on Thursday 12 July and Saturday 14 July, conducted by Landworks NPC in the showground hall.
Life saving information that is practical and useful to protect yourself, your family and your home from wildfire will be shared at the talks by wildfire fighting experts. People whose homes have been burnt down often describe how helpless they feel as fire takes over their houses, leaving them, their loved ones and often their neighbours without shelters, as well as their most precious possessions burned to ashes.
This heartbreaking scene is common in South Africa where unwanted wildfires are a fact of life. And the bad news from the weather experts is that unwanted wildfires will happen more often and fires will burn hotter as changing weather patterns, make our environment hotter and drier.
But you don't have to be a victim of unwanted fires. You and your neighbours have it in your power to protect your families and your homes to look after the people in your community.
Instead of being helpless you can all take some simple steps to prevent yourself, your family and your home from ever coming to harm from wildfires.
• Clean up your garden or the area surrounding your home by removing dead branches and leaves and piles of wood that can catch alight away from your home.
• If you keep a pile of firewood, stack it well away from the house.
• Remove tree branches overhanging your roof and the lower branches of trees and shrubs that can act as a "ladder" up which fire can spread.
• Avoid having trees and shrubs growing close to walls, windows and doors.
• Clean out your gutters.
• Check your roof. Make sure there are no gaps where wind can blow embers into your home.
The devastating fire earlier this year destroyed this house in Knysna.
These simple, commonsense measures that don't cost any money at all will set you on the way to becoming better protected from fire during the long, hot, dry summer season ahead. Maybe while you are making yourself more aware, you will also see other things you can do to reduce the risk of fire, not only on your property but in your neighborhood - and before long you and your community will no longer be vulnerable to wildfires.
Contact Tessa Oliver at 021 712 5223, WhatsApp 087 3110452, sms or email tessa.oliver@landworksnpc.com so they can serve everyone who attends with refreshments.
'We bring you the latest Swellendam, Hessequa news'
