We live in a bushfire risk area, so over summer we can naturally expect to have many high risk days that can place pressure on you, your family and your home.

One of the most important things you should do is prepare a clear Bushfire Safety Plan, and before the fire season begin is the time to start putting your plans into place

Bushfires are survivable, as long as individuals and communities take responsibility for their own fire safety.

EVERY HOME IS DIFFERENT, which is why every family needs to develop an individual fire plan. What is right for your neighbour may be wrong for you. You must be confident that you are making the best possible decision for the safety of yourself and your family, and the survival of your property. If you have planned ahead and followed through with good preparations, your risks will be lowered.

The first and most important decision you must make is to decide whether your Bushfire Safety Plan is 'Leaving Early' or 'Stay and activelydefend' in the event of a fire. You have a right to stay if you wish. The decision to evacuate is yours.

Leaving early is the safest option

• In high-risk areas, leaving early is your safest option. This is particularly so on Code Red,
• Extreme and Severe days.
• Even people who are extremely well prepared can die fighting fires at home.
• If you live in a high-risk bushfire area, your home will not be defendable on a Code Red day.
• Code Red is the highest Fire Danger Rating. These are the worst conditions for a bush or grassfire.
• Houses are not designed or constructed to withstand fires in Code Red conditions.
• On a Code Red day, leaving high-risk bushfire areas the night before or early in the morning is the safest option area, your home may not be defendable on Extreme or Severe fire risk days.
• Most homes in high-risk bushfire areas are not built to withstand bushfire.

Can I stay and actively defend?

• Defending a property requires at least two able-bodied, fit and determined adults who are physically and mentally prepared to work long and hard in arduous and difficult conditions.
• Defending your home is very risky, you could die or be seriously injured.
• If you live in a high-risk bushfire area, your home will not be defendable on a Code Red day.
• Children, the elderly, people with special needs or disability should be well away from the threat.

Once you have made your plan, you then need to prepare for it. A well thought out Bushfire Safety Plan should address all majore issues. Everyone in the household know the plan and what their roles are.

Click here for more information about 'Planning to leave early'

Click here for more information about 'Stay and actively defend'

Whether you plan to stay or go, it is essential that your home is prepared as well as possible to withstand a bush or grass fire. If you ignore the need to reduce ground fuel prior to, and during, the Fire Danger period, you may endanger not only your property, but the lives and property of your neighbours.

COMMUNITY FIREGUARD GROUPS

This is a community education program designed to reduce the loss of lives and homes in bushfires. It is a good way of learning more about bushfire.

The basis for the program is that many people may have to face a fire without the immediate protection of the CFA, which cannot guarantee that every person and home in a large area with individual protection during a major bushfire.

The program helps people develop strategies which are simple, inexpensive and effective