As wildfires continue to pose a threat in Atlantic Canada, the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is urging residents to stay vigilant and prepare for the possibility of disaster striking this wildfire season.
Last week, an out-of-control forest fire was confirmed southeast of Weymouth by Nova Scotia’s Department of Natural Resources and Renewables, while an ongoing fire continues to blaze in Shelburne County.
With these incidents highlighting the threat of wildfires, IBC Atlantic vice president Amanda Dean has called on residents to take precautions to protect themselves and their property.
“With dryer than normal conditions across Atlantic Canada, there is an increased risk of wildfire this season,” said Dean. “It’s important to be prepared, as wildfires can spread quickly and residents in impacted areas may have only moments to act. Wildfires are a real and present danger, especially if you live in a heavily forested area.”
To help residents protect their homes and businesses, IBC has made a list of several wildfire safety and prevention tips. These tips include installing and regularly maintaining smoke alarms, preparing homes with flame-resistant materials, properly storing flammable materials, and creating an emergency preparedness plan and disaster safety kit for families.
IBC also encouraged residents to stay informed about weather conditions and fire danger ratings, to obey fire prohibitions and restrictions, and to dispose of smoking materials properly.
Additionally, IBC advised residents to keep their insurance policy numbers and claims department phone numbers with them in case of evacuation. In the event of evacuation, residents may also qualify for additional living expense (ALE) coverage.
Atlantic Canadians impacted by wildfires may reach out to IBC’s consumer information centre at 1-844-2ask-IBC for general questions about their insurance policies. They can also visit IBC’s dedicated webpage on wildfires to learn more about insurance coverage and the claims process.
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