How to prevent a fire on your property in Bermuda
Whether your family barbecue gets out of hand or a cigarette butt accidentally ends up in your garden, a fire on your property can start quickly and spread to your home or to surrounding areas — potentially causing widespread damage and danger. Take these preventative measures to avoid a fire in your yard and keep your community safe.
- Keep your yard tidy and free of fire hazards. Regularly trim trees and brush, get rid of dead branches and foliage, and remove other flammable materials instead of leaving them to dry out on your property. Dispose of your yard waste properly, following local regulations and only leaving yard waste out at the appropriate pick-up time.
- Keep your barbecue clean and follow safe grilling habits. If you have a grill or outdoor kitchen, use it responsibly and follow all recommended safety precautions. Keep children, pets, and flammable materials away from the cooking area, and never leave your barbecue unattended while it’s lit. Download more safe grilling tips from the Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service here.
- Keep potted plants well watered. Potted plants and the soil in their pots tend to dry out more quickly than garden beds, so be sure to water them frequently to keep them moist. Water your plants in the evening or early morning to allow the water to soak into the plants’ roots instead of evaporating from the soil before it reaches them.
- Properly dispose of cigarette butts. If anyone in your household (or a visiting guest) smokes, be sure they know where to put their butts to prevent a fire on your property. Have a designated spot, such as a can of sand or water, where smokers can safely extinguish butts and leave them to fully cool down. Make sure butts aren’t free to blow around.
- Obey local burning laws and don’t have a bonfire on your property without a permit. Bermuda has strict laws when it comes to bonfires and other outdoor fires — and most aren’t allowed without a permit. Don’t set a fire on your property, and if you’re hoping to have a bonfire in a public place, you can apply for a special bonfire permit.
Protect your Bermuda property from fire with insurance from BF&M
It’s not always possible to prevent a fire on your property, even when you’ve taken all of the right precautions — and that’s why you need a good home insurance policy to cover damage caused by a fire. Get a quote for a new home insurance policy from BF&M to start protecting your home and belongings today.
If you’re already a BF&M customer, log in to review your home insurance policy online and make sure your sums insured are sufficient for your current situation. If the value of your home or belongings has gone up, you may need to make changes to your limits to ensure you aren’t underinsured.
Contact our customer service team at +1 441 295 5566 if you want to make changes to your existing coverage or have questions about purchasing a new home insurance policy — we’re happy to help.