Clean Up Your Property

• Keep grass cut
• Clean leaves out of gutters
• Remove dead undergrowth and fallen branches
• Reduce fine fuels such as long, dry grass, fallen leaves and twigs from around your house

Check for potential fire hazards
• Firewood
• Household junk stored under carports or eaves
• Pot plants/ hanging baskets
• Bushes against the house
• Vines on the house
• Surrounding structures – decks, pergolas
• Garden furniture
• Under house items

Have a Plan
• Your plan should include what you and your family will do on a high fire risk day.

• If your plan is to leave you need to consider:

When you will leave?
Where you will go?
How you will get there?
What you will take with you?
What you will do with your pets?
Who you have told about your plan?How long you may need to stay – you need to consider plans for more than one day/night

• Ensure your plans take into consideration a variety of scenarios – whether a fire risk day occurs on a work day, weekend, when the kids are home.

• If your plan is to leave on a fire risk day, do so at the start of the day before any fires break out. Include in your plan places to go such as a regional shopping centre, to family or friends. Consider relocating to a Relief Centre (if one has been activated) as a last resort.

• Discuss your plans with family and friends so everyone knows what to expect.

• Plan what you will take with you if you relocate such as medicines, toiletries etc – you might not be able to come back that night.

• Join the CFA’s Community Fireguard – a free fire safety education program (Call Victorian Bushfire Information line 1800 240 667).