10 Essential Tips for Bushfire Season

Here's ten tips to get your home bushfire ready.

1. Create a Defensible Space: One of the first steps in safeguarding your home is to create a defensible space. Clear vegetation and debris from around your property for at least 30 meters. This buffer can help prevent flames from reaching your house.

2. Trim Trees and Shrubs: Regularly trim trees and shrubs, ensuring they are at a safe distance from your home. Overhanging branches and unkempt vegetation can contribute to the fire risk.

3. Clean Gutters and Roofs: Clean your gutters, roof, and downspouts regularly to remove leaves, twigs, and debris. Embers from bushfires can ignite these materials, posing a significant risk to your home.

4. Install Ember Guards: Consider fitting metal mesh screens to your roof, vents, and other openings to prevent embers from entering your home. Ember guards are critical for ember attack protection.

5. Use Fire-Resistant Building Materials: When building or renovating, opt for fire-resistant materials for your roof, walls, and windows. Materials like steel, concrete, and toughened glass can help protect your home.

6. Seal Openings: Seal gaps, cracks, and openings around windows and doors with fire-resistant materials to prevent embers and smoke from entering your home.

7. Install Fire-Resistant Curtains or Shutters: Consider installing fire-resistant curtains or shutters to cover windows and protect against radiant heat and ember attacks.

8. Create a Water Source: Ensure you have a reliable water source, such as a well-maintained pool, water tank, or dam. Installing hoses and pumps for firefighting purposes is also crucial.

9. Prepare an Emergency Kit: Assemble an emergency kit containing essential items like first aid supplies, important documents, non-perishable food, water, clothing, and a battery-powered radio.

10. Develop a Bushfire Survival Plan: Create a comprehensive bushfire survival plan for your family. This should include evacuation routes, communication strategies, and a designated meeting point in case of separation.

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Finally, save the emergency numbers & download the emergency apps to keep informed, you'll find a list here - click here.

Remember that bushfires can be unpredictable, so it's essential to be prepared and vigilant throughout the bushfire season. Always follow the advice of local authorities and, if necessary, evacuate early to ensure your safety and the safety of your family.