Fire

PREPARE

If you are in the countryside

  • Do not burn rubbish or dry grass and twigs during the summer months.
  • Do not light outdoor grills in the woods or in areas with dry grass in summer.
  • Avoid tasks that could cause a fire (eg welding, using a wheel or other sparking tool).
  • Do not throw lighted cigarettes.
  • Do not leave rubbish in the forest. There is a risk of ignition.
  • Respect access bans in high-risk times.

If your home is in or near a forest

  • Create a fire zone around the house by cleaning dry grass and leaves, pine needles and branches within a radius of at least 10 meters.
  • Prune the trees up to a height of 3 meters, depending on their age and condition.
  • Remove dry branches from trees and shrubs.
  • Do not let the branches of the trees rest on the walls, the roof and the balconies of the house. Prune them at least 5 meters away from the house.
  • Dilute the tree vegetation so that the branches of one tree are at least 3 meters away from the branches of the other. For even greater protection, we remove the tree and shrub vegetation around the building at a distance of at least 10 meters, provided that the cleaning works of the natural vegetation imposed for the protection of the buildings do not in any case violate the provisions of the forest legislation.
  • Do not place plastic gutters or pipes on the walls of the house.
  • Do not place flammable shutters on windows and patio doors.
  • Make sure that the covers on the chimneys and vents of the house are made of non-flammable material so that sparks do not penetrate.
  • Do not store flammable objects near the house.
  • Place firewood indoors and in sheltered areas.
  • Do not build uncovered fuel tanks near your home.
  • Obtain the appropriate fire extinguishers and take care of their maintenance.
  • Equip yourself with a watering can with a length proportional to the area you want to protect.
  • Equip yourself with a water tank, a simple pump without electricity and a water pipe.

As soon as you notice a fire

  • Call the Fire Department IMMEDIATELY (tel. 199) and provide clear information on:
    – your location and exact location,
    – the location, the exact point and the direction of the fire.
    – the type of vegetation that burns.

If the fire is approaching your home

  • Remain calm.
  • Transfer all flammable materials from the perimeter of the building to enclosed and sheltered areas.
  • Close all passages (chimneys, windows, doors, etc.) so that the heat does not penetrate inside the house.
  • Turn off gas and liquid fuel supplies inside and outside the home.
  • Fold the awnings on the balconies and windows.
  • Facilitate access for fire trucks by opening the garden door.
  • Place a ladder on the outside of the house, opposite the direction of the fire so that there is direct access to the roof.
  • Connect the watering hoses and lay them out to cover the perimeter of the house.
  • If visibility is reduced, turn on the interior and exterior lights to make it visible through the smoke.

As soon as the fire is over

  • Get out of the house and immediately turn off the remaining microwaves.
  • Check for at least 48 hours, at regular intervals, the perimeter and outside of the house for the possibility of flares.

If the fire has reached your home

  • Do not leave the building unless your escape is fully secured.
  • Do not get in a car. The chances of survival in a house made of non-combustible materials are much higher than in a car that is exposed to smoke and flames.
  • If you stay at home:
    – Close doors and windows tightly.
    – Block the cracks with wet cloths to prevent smoke from entering.
    – Remove the curtains from the windows.
    – Move furniture near windows and exterior doors inside the rooms.
    – Close the intermediate doors to slow the spread of the fire.
    – Fill the bathtub, sinks and buckets with spare water.
    – Concentrate all together in one room.
    – Make sure you have a flashlight and spare batteries with you in the event of a power failure.
  • If your house is wooden, look for shelter in a built house.
  • If an organized evacuation from the area is ordered, faithfully follow the instructions of the Authorities and the routes that will be given to you.

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