Dudley McArdle with Glenn Webster, Daylesford CFA Captain
We’ve all seen the messages from CFA and other response agencies as we get into this year’s bushfire season (although it’s amazing how many people haven’t taken those messages onboard).
We know to clean out the gutters. We know to clear flammable items from around our property. We’ve heard that we should have a bushfire plan.
But we can take some further steps to ensure that in the event of a fire impacting us, we can get through the first hours after the event before the recovery process kicks in.
As part of your bushfire plan, put together an emergency kit
It should contain:
- Overnight bag with change of clothes and toiletries for all members of the family
- Medicines and first aid kit
- Important information, such as passport, will, photos, jewellery
- Mobile phone and charger
- Adequate amount of water
- Wool blankets
- Contact information for your doctor, council and power company
- Additional masks
- Hand sanitiser
- Antibacterial wipes
Store your kit in an easy-to-access location.
Before the fire season:
Practise how to pack the car.
Make sure it is quick and easy to pack and everything fits. Remember to leave space for your pets.
Keep important items and information in a safe place
Consider moving your irreplaceable family keepsakes and valuables out of the area during summer. Scan important information and photos and store them on a USB flash drive or an external hard drive.
Get more Bushfire preparedness info at https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/before-and-during-a-fire
