24 Jan Surviving extreme heat and bushfires

Bushfire, Extreme Heat and Heatwaves 

With Summer now well and truly here, TDHS would like to encourage everyone in our community to stay safe and look out for others in respect to potential fires, extreme heat and heatwaves.

Bushfire – What to Consider:  

Your Bushfire Risk

• Are you in a high-risk bushfire area? (near bush, coastal scrub)
• Know the layout of your town, including key roads to leave by
• Know when it is a Code Red Day and what to do

Your Trigger to Act

• Know the Fire Danger Rating at your location
• The Fire Danger Rating is your ‘trigger’ to act
• The higher the rating the more dangerous the situation if a fire starts.

WHAT TO DO

Leave Early

• When the Fire Danger Rating is Code Red, leaving early is always the safest option
• ‘Leave early’ destinations could include homes of families and friends who live outside the risk area, a nearby town or built-up area.

Well Prepared

If leaving the high-risk area is no longer an option, there may be options close to where you are that could protect you. These include:

• A well prepared home that you can actively defend on Severe & Extreme Fire Danger Rating days only
• Private Bushfire Shelter (bunker) that meets current regulations

Neighbourhood Safer Place

http://www.saferplaces.cfa.vic.gov.au/cfa/search/default.htm

For more information visit the CFA website to view the Timboon Community Information Guide.

Insurance

Without insurance, it could take you years to get back on your feet. To find out more visit  http://www.insureit.vic.gov.au/

During days of extreme heat or heatwave* :

Look after yourself

• Drink plenty of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty (if your doctor normally limits your fluids, check how much to drink during hot weather).
• Keep yourself cool by using wet towels, putting your feet in cool water and taking cool (not cold) showers.
• Spend as much time as possible in cool or air-conditioned buildings (shopping centres, libraries, cinemas or community centres).

Look after others

• Keep in touch with sick or frail friends and family and check in on elderly neighbours. Call them at least once on any extreme heat day.
• Encourage them to drink plenty of water.

For more information visit the Victorian Government’s Heatwave Resources Page.

* The Bureau of Meteorology’s Heatwave service for Australia defines heatwave as ‘three days or more of high maximum and minimum temperatures that are unusual for that location’.