What's the risk to your home?
There are different ways to prepare for severe weather. Click on your home to tailor a plan for you!
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Prepare
Connect with the Farm FireWise Program, developed by the ACTRFS to support the rural community to prevent, prepare, respond to and recover from bush fires.
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Animal
Keep your livestock safe. Prepare animal emergency and relocation kits and store them in an easily accessible location.
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People
In case of extreme heat days, discuss heat precautions with anyone working on your property, provide water for everyone and designate 'cool off' areas.
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Poison
Store poisons and other farm items appropriately to reduce their potential impacts in case of severe weather events.
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Entrance
Check there is easy access to the main entrance of your property for fire trucks or emergency vehicles.
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Roof and Gutters
Clear leaves, twigs and other debris from your roof and gutters. This can prevent water damage due to drainage problems in storms, discourages pest infestation and removes potential fuel for fires.
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Backup mains
Consider having a standby water pump, water storage containers and backup power source in case your mains power are cut off.
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Insurance
Ensure your house insurance is adequate and you understand the definitions of flood cover and other weather events as part of your policy.
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Indoors
Identify one room in your home to keep cool at all times in case of a heatwave. It should be large enough that the whole household could sleep there if needed.
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Garden
Cutback trees and shrubs overhanging or against your house; trim low-lying branches two metres from the ground surrounding your home. These could be dangerous during a storm or bushfire.
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Neighbours
Get to know your neighbours and fellow tenants – prepare together and don’t wait until a disaster strikes to reach out. Make a special effort to introduce yourself to vulnerable neighbours. Perhaps suggest making an emergency plan at your next Body Corporate meeting.
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Mains
Get together with your fellow tenants to plan and understand how to turn off mains power, water, gas, solar power. Find out who is responsible for this in the event of an emergency and understand the procedures in your building.
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Gardens
Keep an eye on the gardens surrounding your apartment. Discuss with other residents in your apartment block if you have any concerns about excess ground fuels for fire such as dead leaves and branches, or speak to your property manager or body corporate.
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Indoors
Plan how to cool your apartment during extreme heat. Think about which windows to keep open or which blinds to shut and when is the best time for each action.
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Building exterior
Ask your property manager or body corporate to check your apartment block’s exterior for any corrosion, rotten timber, or loose fittings that could be dangerous in the event of severe weather.