Bushfires

SAFETY INFORMATION
Residents in areas that may be under threat from the fires are advised to activate their bushfire plans and to make an informed decision early on as to whether they decide to leave early or to stay and actively defend their homes.

Residents need to be aware that leaving your home at the last minute when the fire is nearby can have serious, life threatening consequences.





People who intend to stay need to ensure that they:
- are physically and mentally prepared to defend their home;
- have a comprehensive plan, reliable water supply and fire fighting equipment; and
- have an adequate cleared space around their house.

If residents do not have these things in place, given the expected extreme fire conditions, they should leave well before the fire threatens their local area.

People should avoid being caught out in the open or on the roads during the fire and should seek shelter in buildings or structures such as a house, that is able to provide a shield from radiant heat during the passage of the fire front.

It is important that all residents protect themselves from radiant heat by wearing the correct protective clothing. Residents should wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, sturdy boots, and a broad brimmed hat. On no account should synthetic material be worn.

It is vital that people at home look after their own health by regularly drinking water to avoid becoming dehydrated and suffering heat exhaustion.

As the front of the fire approaches it will become unsafe to be either on foot or in a car as the heat radiating from the fire will be intense. Residents should avoid being exposed to radiant heat at all costs, and should make use of structures like their homes to shelter in as the fire front passes.
After the fire front has passed, residents should immediately begin to patrol their house looking for embers or areas that are burning, extinguish them as best they can and continue to monitor for several hours.

Keep a portable radio with batteries handy in case of power failure.