Planning for emergencies at home

Get ready for summer

The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting a hot and humid summer, with more than usual summer rainfall. This will increase growth of grasses, bushes and trees, which may increase fire danger in south-eastern Australia

Prepare for emergencies

The VicEmergency website and app is your one-stop-shop for advice on how to prepare for and respond to emergencies and natural disasters.

It’s important to think ahead about the supplies you may need, and to ready yourself emotionally for the potential impacts of an emergency.

Victoria is one of the most bushfire-prone areas in the world, so it’s vital to plan ahead.
Anyone could be affected by a fire at some time. Fire risk is most extreme if you live around or near forest or woodland.

With the Victorian Government’s Online Fire Planner, you can create a basic plan in as little as 10 minutes.

Staying up-to-date on the weather conditions is essential.

Know what’s happening around you by:

• Downloading the VicEmergency app to your smartphone via:
  • the Apple App Store
  • the Google Play Store
• You can set a Watch Zone for your local area, and the areas your family and friends live in
• Listening to your local ABC radio station.

Learn about the fire danger rating systems

A new Fire Danger Rating system was introduced in 2022.

The new ratings are the same across Australia, so whether you're at home or travelling interstate, you will see the same rating system.

The ratings can help you to decide what actions to take to protect yourself and others from bushfires and grassfires.

Fire Danger Ratings are issued on days when there is a fire risk. Each fire danger rating will have a clear set of messages including the actions the community can take to reduce their risk.

To learn more about the ratings and what to do, visit the CFA website.

Planning for extreme heat and heatwaves

Extreme heat can affect anyone, but older and younger people and those with medical conditions are at greater risk. Heat can cause heat cramps and heat exhaustion which can lead to the life-threatening condition, heatstroke, which is fatal in up to 80% of cases.

Preparing for extreme heat can make hot days safer and more manageable. Here are a few tips to stay cool and well this summer:

• Follow weather reports
  • watch the news daily
  • check the BOM forecast online
  • read the current heat health alert on health.vic.gov.au.
• Plan ahead – schedule activities in the coolest part of the day, avoid exercising in the heat and cancel non-essential outings
  • If you must go outside, wear a hat and sunscreen, and take a bottle of water with you.
• Review medications and any chronic disease care plans – ask your doctor if you are at increased risk of heat-related illness in hot weather.
• Check your electrical items and prepare for outages – before hot weather, check your fans or air-conditioner works well, and have your air-conditioner serviced if needed..
• Stay hydrated – drink plenty of water and reduce caffeine and alcohol.
• Stay cool – keep curtains closed and spend time in the coolest room of the house. Turn on your air conditioner to ‘cool’.

For detailed advice, visit the Better Health Channel.