Preparing for bushfires
Bushfires are a natural part of the Australian environment and can occur regularly, but many Australians are not prepared for them.
Although there are elements of a bushfire that you can't control − such as the weather − planning and preparing your home for a bushfire can significantly increase the chances of your family and your home surviving.
If you live in an bushfire prone area, it is important to minimise the risk to your family and your home, and take action to survive a bushfire.
Fire and Rescue NSW recommends taking the below steps to prepare your family and your home for a bushfire.
Prepare your home
- Have a discussion with your family members to decide what you’ll do if there’s a bushfire.
- Make sure that ALL your family members know your bushfire plan and know where the community evacuation area is.
- If there is a Community Fire Unit nearby, consider becoming a member.
Regular maintenance can make your home safer
- Clean leaves from gutters, roofs and downpipes regularly, and fit quality metal leaf guards.
- Mow your grass regularly, both in the front and back yards.
- Keep your backyard tidy, free from any build-up of flammable material.
- Relocate any flammable items away from your home including woodpiles, paper, boxes, crates, hanging baskets and garden furniture.
- Remove excess ground fuels and other combustible material.
- Do not deposit tree loppings, grass clippings and other materials that could aid a fire on your property, or on council reserves or bushland.
- Ensure your garden hoses are long enough to reach the perimeter boundary of your property.
- Trim low-lying branches two metres from the ground surrounding your home.
More permanent safeguards for your home
- Install fine steel wire mesh screens on all windows, doors, vents and weepholes.
- Fit metal NOT plastic fly screens on windows and doors.
- Enclose open areas under your decks and floors.
- Seal all gaps in external roof and wall cladding.
- When installing LPG cylinders around your home, make sure that pressure relief valves face outwards so that flame is not directed towards the house.
- Plant trees and shrubs that are less likely to ignite due to their lower oil content.
- If you have a swimming pool, have a Static Water Supply sign placed on your front fence. Contact your local fire station for more information.
- Consider purchasing a portable pump to use from your swimming pool or water tank.
- On Total Fire Ban days, obey regulations regarding barbecues and open fires.
- Make sure that if there is a fire hydrant outside your home it is easily located and not obstructed.
Preparing to leave your property
Even if your plan is to leave early, the more you prepare your home, the more likely it will survive a bush fire or ember attack. A well-prepared home can also be easier for you or firefighters to defend, and is less likely to put your neighbours' homes at risk. A well-prepared home will also give you more protection if a fire threatens suddenly and you cannot leave.
In the event of bushfire threatening your home, Fire and Rescue NSW recommends you take the following steps.
Have a plan and stick to it
- Preparation for a bushfire is also about making sure you consider your physical, mental and emotional preparedness. If you have any doubts about your ability to cope, you should plan to leave early.
- Now is the time to enact your bushfire plan. Notify family and friends of the emergency situation and your plan.
Act early
- Stay calm.
- Report all fires by ringing 000.
- Don't enter the bush if there’s smoke or fire in the area.
- Check if elderly neighbours need assistance.
- Patrol the outside of your home, putting out any embers and spot fires that may start.
- Close all windows, doors and shutters.
- If possible, block your downpipes (a sock full of sand/soil will help) and fill roof gutters with water.
- If possible, block gaps beneath doors with wet blankets or towels.
- Collect water in buckets/bath.
- Consider keeping valuable items and documents in a fire resistant safe or metal cabinet, or have them packed and ready to go.
- Bring your garden hose inside so that it won't melt in the fire and can still be used.
- Wet down timber decks and gardens close to the house if the fire is approaching.
- Do not stand on your roof with your hose. In bushfires, often more people are injured by falling from roofs than suffering burns.
- Keep ladders, shovels and metal buckets at hand to help put out spot fires.
- Keep a torch and a portable battery-operated radio in the home in case electricity supply fails.
Evacuate if needed
- Comply with police if ordered to evacuate.
- Ensure non-household family or friends are notified when you evacuate and where you intend to take refuge.
- Drink plenty of water so you do not dehydrate.
For more information, contact your local fire station or fire control centre. In an emergency call 000.
First steps in any disaster
If the matter is urgent, please contact the SES State Emergency Service on 132 500. If the matter is life-threatening, please call 000.
For claims, please call 1300 55 50 30 or claim online.
The information provided is intended to be of a general nature only. We do not accept any legal responsibility for any loss incurred as a result.
