Prepare your property now

Prepare your property now Tuesday 10 November

With the next fire season just around the corner, it’s now time to prepare your home and property.

General Manager Place and Community Jodie Pitkin said getting in early to prepare your property for summer can help minimise any property damage, even if your fire plan is to leave early.

“If your plan is to leave early, please remember that preparing your property is still important. It reduces risk of damage to your own property, but also that of your neighbours too.

“It is important for residents to have a think about their own properties and start to get them fire ready by conducting regular maintenance. Your neighbours will thank you for cleaning up around your property,” Ms Pitkin said.

“Preparing our private properties now is of upmost importance and there are many things you can do now, such as clearing out your gutters and drains, mulching, mixing wet and dry leaves to compost and trying to remove any fuel that can dry out in summer. Coming up to and during fire season, the preferred height for grass is no longer than 10 centimetres.

“It’s also the best time to be putting your fire plan together as a family.”

Council will start inspections across the shire this month and issue fire prevention notices where appropriate.

The CFA website provides some valuable advice on preparing your property including:

Move furniture, woodpiles and mulch away from windows, decks and eaves. Prune tree branches so they are not overhanging the roof or touching walls. Keep grass shorter than 10cm. Regularly remove leaves and twigs. Don’t have plants higher than 10cm in front of windows or glass doors. Check that your home and contents insurance is current and includes a level of cover in line with current building standards and regulations. Remove all flammable items from around your home. Houses have been lost from things as simple as embers landing on a doormat.

Council is also preparing for the summer season with bushfire mitigation plans underway, this includes roadside clearing and slashing and vegetation management.

“Our fire prevention program also includes removing hazardous trees, clearing local roadsides, static water tank maintenance and environmental works in reserves,” Ms Pitkin said.

Green waste disposal is free at Council’s Bairnsdale, Lakes Entrance, Cann River, Bruthen, Buchan, Mallacoota, Marlo, Metung, Omeo, Orbost and Swifts Creek waste facilities.

In the lead-up to summer, the CFA will be running Fire Safety Essentials online sessions to help Victorians understand their fire risk and help you prepare. Check What’s On in your area. Visit cfa.vic.gov.au for more information about bushfire planning and preparation, and about leaving early.

Emergency Management Victoria is encouraging every Victorian to plan and prepare by visiting https://www.vic.gov.au/how-well-do-you-know-fire