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Wildfire Safety

Details: Published: Tuesday, 06 February 2024 08:46

The Nova Scotia wildfire season begins on March 15 and runs until October 15 each year.

During wildfire season, at 2 p.m. each day the provincial “Burnsafe” map gets updated with any burn restrictions that are in place. Visit https://novascotia.ca/burnsafe to see if it is safe to burn!

The map legend categories include:

Grey/White: There is NO domestic brush burning or campfires permitted in Nova Scotia between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., except Industrial permits.

Green: It is okay to burn after 2 p.m. and have the fire out by 8 a.m.

Yellow: It is okay to burn after 7 p.m. and have the fire out by 8 a.m.

Red: No burning at all.

The restrictions are put in place for the safety of the public. Burning is typically only permitted when fire risk is low. It’s safest to burn in the evenings and after/during rain events as temperatures are lower, humidity is higher, and winds tend to be calmer.

If you see someone burning when they are not supposed to be or see a wildfire, please report it to either 1-800-565-2224 or 911.

It is also important to check the municipal bylaws as your municipality may have additional burning restrictions. For example, municipal restrictions may include the time of day that burning is permitted or the type of burning appliance that is permitted.

With the active wildfire season in Nova Scotia last year, you should prepare your family and property for wildfire conditions. If your property is surrounded by brush, grassland or forest, follow these tips to prepare:

• Prepare an emergency kit – examples can be found here.

• Check for and remove fire hazards in and around your home, such as dried-out branches, leaves, and debris. Visit firesmartcanada.ca for more info.

• Have an escape plan so all members of the family know how to get out of the house quickly and safely.

• Have an emergency plan so family members can contact each other in case they are separated during an evacuation.

• If you are on a farm, sheltering livestock may be the wrong thing to do because a wildfire could trap animals inside. Leaving animals unsheltered is preferable or, if time and personal safety permits, evacuation away from the danger zone should be considered.

If you see a fire approaching your home or community, report it immediately by dialing 9-1-1.

If it is safe, and there is time before the fire arrives, you should take the following action:

• Close all windows and doors in the house.

• Cover vents, windows, and other openings of the house with duct tape and/or precut pieces of plywood.

• Park your car, positioned forward out of the driveway. Keep car windows closed and have your valuables already packed in your car.

• Turn off propane or natural gas. Move any propane barbeques into the open, away from structures.

• Turn on the lights in the house, porch, garage, and yard.

• Put lawn sprinklers on the roof of the house and turn on the water.

• Move all combustibles away from the house, including firewood and lawn furniture.

• Evacuate your family and pets to a safe location.

• Stay tuned to your local radio station for up-to-date information on the fire and possible road closures.

The best way to recover from an emergency, is through insurance

Details: Published: Wednesday, 10 August 2022 13:59

In the case of a house fire, wildfire, car accident, or hurricane, insurance is the best way to recover following unexpected events.

Whether you are a homeowner, business, tenant, landlord, or recreational owner you can suffer devastating losses due to an emergency. Insurance isn’t meant to cover predictable events like regular home maintenance, it is there to help you cope with the financial burden of unpredictable events that are sudden and accidental.

Some insurance tips:

Not all policies are equal. Coverage options vary, some may be less expensive however compare the policies to ensure your property is adequately covered.
If you are evacuated from your home and need to stay at a hotel and get food and clothes, most insurance policies provide Additional Living Expense (ALE) coverage that can assist with these additional costs. Ask your insurance company in advance what they need when you file a claim. Do they need receipts that you must keep throughout the year, a video of your belongings and property, and replacement items purchased for reimbursement? Knowing this in advance helps prepare for a claim.
Review your insurance at least annually or anytime you make a substantial change to your property, like a renovation. This helps ensure you have appropriate and adequate insurance coverage for your home, business, and family needs.
Some coverages like sewer backup and overland flood are optional; check your policy or speak with your insurance rep if you want to add these to your policy.
Keep copies of your policies and insurance company claims contact information in your emergency kit.
The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) has information on home, auto, and business insurance. Contact IBC at 1-844-227-5422 or visit Insurance Bureau of Canada.

Definitions of common types of insurance:

Homeowner

Covers the dwelling, outbuildings, contents, and personal liability of your family. Consider the rebuilding costs, replacement value over the years, and coverage for all your belongings.

Businesses

Protects you from losses that may pose a significant threat to your business operations. There are many different factors to consider for businesses such as coverage, deductibles, and policy limits.

Tenants

Covers the cost to replace your belongings due to theft, fire, or water damage after a loss. The landlord insures the building, you insure your belongings. Insurance also protects you if someone gets hurt or someone else’s property is damaged because of your negligence.

Landlords

Landlord insurance can help cover the cost of damage to your property as well as replace rental income.

Recreational Owners

Seasonal or secondary property insurance is different than home insurance. Seasonal properties are primarily used for recreation at certain times of the year. Don’t forget to consider the sheds, boats, and recreational vehicles as well.

To learn more about insurance go to Review Your Insurance and Know Your Policy.

Summer Cottage Safety Tips from REMO

Details: Published: Wednesday, 10 August 2022 13:52

Summer Cottage by the lake The Lunenburg Regional Emergency Management Organization (REMO) is urging residents to ensure they add safety preparations into their cottage opening plans.

Wintertime can cause unsafe conditions at cottages. The first thing you should do when reopening is check and change batteries in all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and check all chimneys. Doing these things will ensure a safe and fun summer for all cottage and cabin owners.

Other important reopening safety tips:

Have smoke detectors on every story and outside of all sleeping areas in cottages, cabins, and homes.
Install carbon monoxide detectors outside of all sleeping areas if your cottage, cabin, or home has a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace, or an attached garage.
Create and practice an escape plan to ensure all those in your cottage or home know what to do if either detector alarms sound.
Clean and check barbecues before use and keep lighters, and matches out of sight, and reach of children.
Inspect all heating appliances and chimneys before use.
Always check the Burn Ban Stats at Check before you burrn to verify if open-air burning is permitted before having a campfire or burning brush.
If open burning is permitted, fires should be built on bare soil or on exposed rock.
Clean brush and leaves from around structures to reduce the risk of ignition from flying embers.
Never leave a fire unsupervised and ensure you have a bucket of water or sand along with a shovel close by.
When putting out a fire, it is important to ensure it is completely out - soak it, stir it, and then soak it again.
If burning candles, make sure they are in sturdy, class shade-covered candleholders that are not at risk of tipping over and always check to see if they are blown out before leaving.
If you are drinking, do so responsibly and do not operate heavy machinery or vehicles.

Be Prepared for Flooding

Details: Published: Wednesday, 09 February 2022 13:36

Winter in Atlantic Canada brings snow, freezing rain, ice, rain, high winds, and power outages. This year, high levels of snow have produced more snow melt and runoff than in previous years.

Did you know that floods are the most frequent natural hazard in Canada? They can occur at any time of the year and can cause significant damage to your home and property. Sewer backups, leaks, broken water mains, torrential rainfalls, and sudden ice thaws can result in flooding and storm surge.

Here are some steps you can take to prepare for a flood, and respond when confronted with one.

Before a Flood:

Clean grates and culverts removing any debris obstruction to assist water flow.
Put weather protection sealant around ground-level windows and doors.
Install drainage for downspouts to ensure that water moves away from the buildings.
Clean eavestrough so rain can drain into downspouts.
Consider installing a sump pump and zero reverse flow valves in basement floor drains.
Do not store your important documents in the basement. Keep them at a higher level, protected from flood damage.
Set aside a supply of drinking water in case your drinking supply becomes contaminated.
If your property is close to water, consider piling sandbags.
Put away lawn furniture, planters, picnic tables, small boats or anything that could be swept away in a flood.
Obtain insurance and review coverage annually to ensure you are protected. All insurance policies are different–review your insurance with your broker.
Know who to call for assistance. Not all fire departments assist with flooding or flooded basements as it can damage equipment. Research local disaster restoration companies to have their contact information handy.

If your home becomes flooded:

Turn basement furnace off and shut off outside gas valves.
Turn off electrical power. If your main power box is not in a dry, safe location, do not attempt to turn it off. Contact Nova Scotia Power at 1-877-428-6004 or your electric utility provider.
Do not stand or wade in water where contact has been made with electrical equipment.
Do not use well water for drinking, cooking, or bathing until the water has been tested and determined to be safe. If you have questions about your water, contact your local Nova Scotia Environment office by calling 1-877-9ENVIRO (936-8476).

To stay informed or to learn more information about floods or other risks, follow us on Facebook.com/LunenburgREMO or Twitter.com/LunenburgREMO

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