Being well prepared gives you and your home the best chance of survival should stray embers or an actual bushfire come knocking on your door. It can make it easier for you or firefighters to defend and also makes it less likely to impact on your neighbours properties. And if a freak fire suddenly catches you off-guard, you will be more protected by following the following maintenance tips.
- Always keep water in containers ready for any emergency
- Ensure you have good quality hoses that are long enough to reach around the house
- Make sure you have good hose attachments for high pressure if needed
- Attach a fire sprinkler system to your gutters
- If you have a pool, tank, or dam on the property, put a ‘Static Water Supply’ (SWS) sign out the front of your property entrance to alert firefighters as to where they can source water
- Clean your gutters of any leaves and other foliage
- Install metal gutter guards to prevent foliage from blocking your gutters
- Clean up all dead or dry foliage around your property & keep gardens & grass trimmed back
- Using rocks and pebbles in your garden stops the spread of flames instead of mulch
- Cut down trees that are too close to the house or creepers that grow up the external walls
- Eliminate gaps around the house by fitting seals around the doors and windows
- Install fine metal mesh screens on windows and screen doors
- Repair or cover up any gaps in external walls
- Repair or replace all missing roof tiles and ensure they are secure
- Ensure all areas under the house are enclosed
- Keep the area around your house clear from flammable items such as boxes, woodpiles, old furniture or doormats, and store your outdoor furniture away
- Store flammable liquids away from the house, if possible in flame-proof containers
- Keep pets inside and provide plenty of water, or take them with you in cages or on leads if evacuating
- Check your home and contents insurance cover and is up to date
Evacuation & assembly areas should you need them
- Woolgoolga Beach Park (open space) Corner Ocean Street and Pollack Esplanade, Woolgoolga. Coffs Harbour
- Upper Orara Community Hall (building) Cnr Dairyville Road and Upper Orara Road, Upper Orara. Coffs Harbour
- Woolgoolga Golf Club (building) Safety Beach Drive, Safety Beach. Coffs Harbour
- Amble Inn – Corindi Tavern (building) Tasman Street, Corindi Beach. Coffs Harbour
- Korora Football Field (open space) Herman Reick Avenue, Korora. Coffs Harbour
- Moonee Beach Shopping Centre (open space) Moonee Beach Road, Moonee Beach. Coffs Harbour