Protect Your Home from Bushfires

Protecting your home from bushfire

Living in a bushland setting poses a risk from bushfire, no matter where you live in Australia. In many parts of Sydney and Surrounds the bushfire risk is real with many homes and communities in Greater Sydney neighbour bushfire-prone areas.

Bush fire season is a time for everyone to exercise care and caution and to be aware of bush fires in your area. Make sure you watch the weather and monitor the radio for news of a fire’s progress. Being well prepared in advance, knowing what to do when bush fire threatens and understanding safety in a bush fire situation are vitally important in what can be, literally, a life or death situation.

Being Bush Firewise is about appreciating your bush fire risk and doing something about it. While a variety of factors come together to increase the risk of bush fire in your area, ultimately the protection of your property comes down to you.

The recent fires in Victoria have highlighted the devastating impact of bushfire and the real danger it poses to life and property. You can work to protect your house and family against bushfires by preparing adequately before, during and after the fire season. The most important points to consider are:

reduce the fuel around your home (fuel is dried out material that will burn – branches, sticks, twigs, leaves, bark and grass)
make your own plan for bushfire survival; the decision to stay and defend your home or evacuate depends on whether adequate preparations have been made 

Take Precautions

If your house is situated in or near a bushland setting, take the following precautions:

clear fuels around the house for at least 30 metres
trim under fences and remove accumulated undergrowth
keep grassed areas trimmed and well watered
ensure that entry to your property is clearly marked and wide enough for a larger firefighting vehicle to gain access
check that firefighting equipment is in reliable working condition

Are you prepared? Use this checklist. 

Keep a note of the telephone number of your local fire brigade.
All eaves and roof vents should be boxed in or covered with fine wire mesh.
Screens or shutters should be installed and underfloor areas enclosed if possible.
Ensure that external house timbers have a sound coat of paint.
Secure roof and clean gutters of dry leaf debris.
Store flammable items well away from the house (for example wood piles, boxes, paper, outside furniture, flammable liquids).
Point LPG gas tank valves away from the house.
Check that firefighting equipment is operational (for example portable diesel or petrol pump, taps, nozzles, hoses should reach all sides of the building).
In most bushfires, the mains water supply is likely to fail and electric power supplies will probably be cut off. A reserve water supply is recommended (for example tanks, dam or swimming pool).
For further information about making your home bushfire safe please visit the NSW Rural Fire Service website:

http://www.bushfire.nsw.gov.au/