Fire Proof Your Bahamas Home

When fire swept though international fashion designer Peter Nygard's sprawling home in Lyford Cay, Bahamas, last week, one thing stopped total destruction.
Constructions materials.
The concrete section of the building survived easily, but the celebrated multi-story "tree house" and several other buildings were destroyed.
Fortunately, no-one was injured.
“Nygard Cay,” as it's called, is located on two beaches in a gated enclave in Nassau, which is home to some of the priciest Bahamas real estate.
It has volleyball courts, a tennis court, a basketball court, a disco, three boats, a 24-seat movie theatre, a staff of 20, a grand dining hall and 25 cabanas, each equipped with a kitchen, bathroom, jacuzzi and outdoor shower.
The Nygard real estate spread has been featured prominently and is a popular venue in the Bahamas for parties and photo shoots. It's been seen on Oprah and Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.
A large party was planned for November 15th and the Bahamas real estate was to be used as a backdrop for photo shoots for the Miss USA Swimsuit Model Search before fire put a damper on the event.
The fire is a reminder that when planning a home, the risk of fire should be considered.
If you are planning to build, buy or remodel a home, there are certain things you should look for to minimise risk.
Exterior construction materials such as concrete resist fire much better than wood. If you are using siding materials, the thicker the siding, the more fire resistant.
Enclose the undersides of balconies and decks on slopes with fire resistive materials. If you don't and there's a fire, these areas can trap flames and burning embers that can destroy your home.
The roof of your home is particularly vulnerable because it can easily catch fire from wind-blown sparks. The single most important step you can take to create a fire safe home is to build or re-roof with fire resistive or noncombustible materials.
Remember to install smoke detectors and fire extinguishes in your home. Change the batteries in the detectors once a year. Many people change the batteries when Daylight Savings Time ends, as it's easier to remember.