Bushfire Safety Tips: How to Protect Your Home and Family This Australian Summer

As Australia enters its peak bushfire season, it's crucial to take proactive bushfire safety steps to safeguard your home and loved ones from the growing fire risk, especially in high-risk areas.

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Australia's summer season is synonymous with long days, outdoor fun, and - unfortunately - the looming risk of bushfires. As temperatures soar and dry conditions intensify, the potential for fire hazards around homes and communities can increase significantly. 

So, it’s crucial to be prepared and take necessary precautions to ensure safety throughout the summer season.

With Australia vulnerable to bushfires, staying fire-safe requires a proactive approach, one that involves understanding the risks, following safety guidelines and preparing both homes and personal plans. Whether you're hosting a barbecue in your backyard or living in a bushfire-prone area, keeping fire safety front of mind can save lives and property.

Bushfire seasons in Australia can vary in intensity, depending on the region. Contributing factors include dry vegetation, hot weather, and strong winds. These elements create the perfect storm for bushfires, which can rapidly spread across vast areas.

In recent years, the fire seasons have lengthened, with extreme weather patterns becoming more frequent. The devastating 2019-2020 Black Summer bushfires were a harsh reminder of how dangerous bushfire seasons can be, claiming lives, homes, and wildlife.

Fire safety at home: key steps to minimise risk

The first step to protecting your home and family is making your property as fire-resistant as possible. Here are several safety measures to implement:

1. Create a defensible space around your home

Clear dry grass, leaves, and other flammable debris from your garden. Regularly mow your lawn and trim trees and shrubs, particularly those near the house. Experts recommend maintaining a 20-30 metre buffer zone of low vegetation to slow down potential fires.

2. Clean gutters and roofs regularly

Embers can travel long distances, landing in debris-filled gutters and igniting fires. Keeping your roof and gutters free of dry leaves and twigs can significantly reduce this risk. Installing ember guards on windows, doors, and vents is also an effective preventative measure.

3. Maintain barbecue safety

According to Fire and Rescue NSW, ‘the backyard barbie can be a common cause of fires and injury during summer.’ To prevent accidents, always keep barbecues clean and ensure that gas hoses and connections are tightly secured with no leaks. Never leave a barbecue unattended, and always have a fire extinguisher nearby.

4. Prepare an emergency evacuation kit

Your kit should include essentials such as water, non-perishable food, first aid supplies, clothing, blankets, and important documents. Having this kit ready ensures that, if you need to evacuate quickly, you’re prepared.

5. Develop a bushfire survival plan

Each household should have a clear plan that outlines what to do during a bushfire. Everyone in the family should know the plan, including where to go and how to communicate in case of an emergency. 

6. Stay informed

Download the Fires Near Me smartphone app from the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) - see link below, which provides real-time updates on bushfire activity and warnings. It’s vital to stay connected with local authorities and be aware of any fire danger ratings, which can inform whether you should prepare to evacuate or remain on alert.

Bushfire preparedness for rural areas

For Australians living in rural areas, bushfire risks are even greater, and additional precautions are needed:

1. Firebreaks and clear access routes

Create firebreaks - clear strips of land that can slow the advance of a bushfire - around your property. Firefighters also need clear access routes to your home, so keep paths and roads free of obstacles.

2. Water storage

If you don’t have access to a reliable water supply, such as town water, install water tanks to use during bushfire season. Have hoses long enough to reach every part of your property, and keep firefighting pumps maintained.

3. Rural fire equipment

Regularly check firefighting equipment, such as water pumps, hoses, and generators. Make sure that your family or community knows how to use this equipment in an emergency.

What to do during a bushfire

If a bushfire is approaching, early evacuation is the safest option. However, if you are unable to leave in time, follow these steps:

1. Seek shelter indoors

If you're unable to evacuate, stay indoors in a well-ventilated room that’s farthest from the fire. Close all windows and doors, and block any gaps where smoke might enter. Keep a fire extinguisher on hand, and wear protective clothing.

2. Use caution when driving

If you must evacuate by car, be aware that bushfires can make driving extremely dangerous. Turn on your headlights to improve visibility, drive slowly, and follow designated evacuation routes.

3. Communicate and stay informed

Stay in contact with neighbours and loved ones. Monitor emergency services and local fire reports to receive up-to-date information about the fire’s location and progression.

Common myths about fire safety

Bushfires only affect rural areas.

While rural regions are particularly vulnerable, bushfires can spread to suburban and urban areas. Preparedness is key, regardless of where you live.

Homes with swimming pools or dams are safe from fires.

While water sources are helpful, they cannot fully protect a property from the dangers of bushfires. It's important to take other fireproofing measures.

Spraying your home with water can save it from bushfires.

Watering your house can help, but it won't stop embers from landing on combustible materials like dry leaves or unsealed roofs. Fire-resistant landscaping and proper home maintenance are more effective.

The threat of bushfires is ever-present during the Australian summer, but with the right preparation and awareness, you can mitigate the risks. Clearing vegetation, maintaining barbecue safety, and following local fire updates can all help protect your home and family.

If a bushfire is threatening your area, evacuate early, communicate with your neighbours, and stay informed through official channels. 

Fires Near Me - NSW Rural Fire Service information: 

www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fires-near-me

Download the Fires Near Me smartphone or Android app: 

www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/news-and-media/stay-up-to-date