The new must-have for wealthy homeowners is a fire hydrant

In a dystopian twist, rich Americans are buying personal fire hydrants to protect themselves from climate change. 

It might sound like something out of the Hunger Games, but it’s a trend that has been taking off in fire-prone regions of the US. 

“When you drive up to the house, the first thing you’ll see is the ocean view. Then you’ll see the hydrant,” homeowner Dustin Khaleghi tells the Wall Street Journal. 

His six-bedroom, eight-bathroom house in Malibu is going on sale early next year for $US25 million ($AU38 million). 

Khaleghi, who owns a development firm, spent $US150,000 ($AU232,000) installing a fire hydrant, water tank and sprinkler system. 

And he isn’t the only one who has been setting his sights on fire safety. Real estate agents in California, Utah and Colorado have been noticing that installing a fire hydrant adds value to the home. 

Michael Owens, a developer in Westlake Village, California, is selling a house with a personal fire hydrant for $US 14.995 million ($AU23.2 million). 

“I certainly didn’t try to hide it. It’s a selling point. It mitigates fear,” developer Michael Owens tells the Journal. 

In recent years, western states like California have seen a massive increase in record-breaking wildfires as a result of climate change. These fires are so deadly that scientists believe the US has entered an era of “mega-fires”. 

It’s a fate that Australia is also experiencing. During the black summer of 2019-2020, 24.3 million hectares of land on the east coast was burned, and 3 billion native animals were killed. 

Australian property is also at risk from natural disasters. According to Domain’s Perils report, 5.6 million homes – half of all properties in Australia – are at risk of bushfire. 

As the risk of losing your life or home in a fire increases, many families are looking to fire-proof their home, especially in more remote areas of the country.

Fire-safe houses for sale in Australia

$1,950,000-$2,150,000

140 River Road, Hahndorf SA 5245

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$950,000

3062 NORTHERN GRAMPIANS ROAD, Wartook VIC 3401

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$1,990,000 - $2,100,000

32 Boundary Road, Mount Macedon VIC 3441

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