Are you ready for the bushfire season?

While much of mainland Australia is already experiencing serious bushfires, it’s not too late to get yourself ready in case a bushfire comes your way. If you live in or near the bush, having a bushfire survival plan is essential. While the following is not an exhaustive list, it will help you get started.

Should I stay or should I go?

The first thing you need to do when preparing your property for a bushfire is to decide if you are going to stay and defend your property or if you’re going to evacuate to a safer place.

Leaving early is the safest option

If you plan to leave, make a list of things you’re going to take with you (important documents, pets etc.) and what you will leave behind (the couch, the spare bed from the rumpus room, hopefully the kitchen sink!). It is important to decide ahead of time where you are going to go to—a friend or relative’s place perhaps. Find the location of your nearest Neighbourhood Safer Place.

If you’re going to stay, you must be ready

It takes at least two, fit and determined people to defend a home and in high fire danger situations, it may not be possible. If you plan to stay and defend your property, you must make a full plan on what you will do in all situations and everyone who’s staying must know it in detail. It is important to know at what point you will put your plan into action.

Prepare your property

Whether your plan is to stay or go, there are plenty of things you can do to increase the chance your house will survive a bushfire.

• Reduce fuel around your house:
  • Mow your lawn regularly.
  • Clear away any dead branches, leaves from around your home.
  • Clear away other flammable material, like cardboard.
  • Clean out gutters.
  • Cut pack any branches overhanging buildings.
• Cover your gutters with wire mesh to ensure they don’t fill up with leaves.
• Install wire (not plastic) flyscreen on windows.
• Block spaces under verandas/decks to stop sparks from getting in.
• Ensure hoses reach around your house and to your boundary fences.

Rainwater is in short supply in many areas, with drought limiting the amount of water available for fire fighting. If you aren’t on the town supply, make sure you have water thanks that are appropriate for firefighting. While polly water tanks are great in most situations, they can melt under extreme heat. Orion Australia have purpose-built fire fighting tanks and pumps which will see you through.
There’s plenty more you can do to prepare, both the Country Fire Association of Victoria and the NSW Rural Fire Service have great resources to make sure you are prepared for the bushfire season.

Galvanized steel fire fighting water tanks

As Tasmania’s leading rain tank supplier, we supply a complete range of steel rainwater tanks which includes two purpose-built fire fighting water tanks.

The GRT10000-S and GRT20000-S galvanized steel fire fighting water tanks are specifically designed to satisfy the requirements of the Bushfire Attack Level ratings in the Building Code of Tasmania.

Available in galvanised finish or painted to match Colorbond colours, the 10,000L and 20,000L galvanised water tank come complete with a 2” fitting and Tas Fire approved outlet. All Orion Australia galvanised steel water tanks are manufactured from Australian steel.