Fire safety on rural blocks

Keeping your property well prepared is important for bushfire survival.

A well prepared home means:

easier defence - it becomes more manageable for you or firefighters to defend
increased survival chance - even if you're not there, it's more likely to survive a fire
reduced risk to neighbours - it minimises the risk to your neighbouring properties
better personal protection - if a fire threatens suddenly and you can't evacuate, your home provides you better protection.

Tips to prepare your home

Use non-flammable building materials if building or renovating.
Remove potential fuel sources by clearing vegetation and rubbish away from your home.
Trim trees in close proximity to your home and reduce vegetation within an 8-metre radius.
Install firebreaks around the perimeter of your property.
Fill the gaps around your house where embers might enter.
Protect your assets by getting comprehensive home and contents insurance.

Use the free home self-assessment app to make informed decisions about your bushfire risk.

You can use the app to:

To prevent sparks and burning material from entering through windows, doors and under floorboards:

close off all openings in eaves and under-floor spaces
seal all gaps in the roof area including the ridge cap, gutter line and fascia board
extend wall cladding on buildings and sheds all the way to the ground
for homes with tiled roofs, incorporate appropriate fire rated insulation (sarking) immediately below the tiles.

Reducing the amount of vegetation on a property is one of the most critical steps of bushfire preparation.

Before the fire season, consider the following:

Fuel load management - fires are fuelled by flammable material on the ground. Reduce the risk by regularly clearing away dried grass, dead leaves and branches.
Vegetation control - reduce, remove and manage vegetation such as long grass within an 8-metre radius of your home and other structures.
Flammable material removal - eliminate sources of potential ignition by removing bark, heavy mulch, wood piles and any other flammable materials close to structures.
Tree maintenance - trim back trees that overhang structures and control or eradicate grassy weed species.
Lawn maintenance - maintaining a well-cut, green lawn around your home will add to your defensible space.

Regularly clean your gutter and consider installing leafless guttering systems.
Store fuel and all flammable items at a safe distance from your structures.
- If a fire starts, ensure firefighters know there is flammable material located on the premises by calling 131 444 or in an emergency call 000
- Remove hazards from around your property such as old car bodies and pressurised gas cylinders.
- Ensure animals are kept in paddocks that are well cleared of vegetation.
- Ensure your block number and property name are clearly visible at the front entrance to your property.

Make sure that hay is fully cured before bailing and stored with enough air flow.
Look out for fire warning signs such as steam, unusual smells or slumping within stacks.
Take care when operating vehicles, machinery and equipment in areas where hay is stored.

Make sure you have enough water reserve to fight a bushfire.
Test all pumps, hoses and fittings regularly. Make sure your hoses are long enough to reach around your house.
Consider using a portable diesel or petrol water pump. Bushfires can cause loss of utilities.
Position sprinklers in key places to keep the ground, roof and walls damp in the event of a bushfire. However, take care of exposed water lines, as they can melt. Consider burying them underground for added protection.

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