Preparation is the key to survival. Being involved in a fire will be one of the most traumatic experiences of your life. You will need to be mentally and physically ready and you will need to have a plan.
In making your decision to stay there are a few things you need to consider. Is your property able to withstand the impact of bushfire? Check the
Specific factors which reduce risk.
Do you have well-maintained resources and equipment and do you know how to use them? Clearly understand what you will do to protect your property and life when the fire arrives and discuss details of your plan with family, friends and neighbours.
You will need to:
- Prepare a Bushfire Emergency Kit so you will be equipped to extinguish small fires and have basic protection from heat, smoke and flames.
Protective clothing for you and your family
Bottled water (enough for all)
Blankets (natural fibres)
- Your property should be well-prepared for fire, even if you intend to leave early. A well-prepared property stands a greater chance of surviving.
Your property should be well-prepared for fire, even if you intend to leave early. A well-prepared property stands a greater chance of surviving.
- Move cars to a safe location
- Remove garden furniture, door mats and other items
- Close windows and doors and shut blinds
- Take down curtains and move furniture away from windows
- Seal gaps under doors and windows with wet towels
- Bring pets inside and restrain them (leash, cage or secure room) and provide water
- Block downpipes (at the top) and fill gutters with water if possible
- Wet down the sides of buildings, decks and close shrubbery in the likely path of the bushfire
- Wet down fine fuels close to buildings
- Turn on garden sprinklers for 30 minutes before the bushfire arrives
- Fill containers with water - baths, sinks, buckets, wheelie bins
- Tune in to warnings to monitor local radio, websites or social media for updates
- Put on protective clothing
- Drink lots of water.
As the fire front arrives:
- Disconnect hose and fittings and bring inside
- Go inside for shelter
- Drink lots of water
- Shelter in your house on the opposite side of the approaching fire
- Patrol and check for embers inside, particularly in the roof space
- Check on family and pets
- Maintain a means of escape
- Continually monitor conditions.
After the fire front has passed, check for small spot fires and burning embers:
- Inside the roof space
- Under floor boards
- Under the house space
- On verandahs and decks
- On window ledges and door sills
- In roof lines and gutters
- In garden beds and mulch
- In wood heaps
- Around outdoor furniture.
Contingency Plan
You may need to leave and you should be prepared to at short notice with your Bushfire Evacuation Kit.
Protective clothing for you and your family
Bottled water (enough for all)
Blankets (natural fibres)
Passports & birth certificates
Family photos, valuables & documents
Tune in to warnings
Don't assume you'll receive a warning as a fire approaches and don't assume a fire crew will be available to assist every home. It's up to you to monitor conditions, know what the Fire Danger Rating is each day and to tune in to local media including radio, social media and websites.
