Leaving for a safer place
Many people plan to leave for a safer place but leave it too late. You need to identify and agree on a trigger with your family that will prompt you to leave early, and have a backup plan in case you cannot leave in time. It is extremely dangerous to leave when roads are closed and full of smoke.
Bushfires move quickly, make sure you and your family know where your safer place is, how you will get there and when you will go. Families with children or occupants who are sick, elderly or with a disability need to leave especially early. You need to act the moment you know there is danger, do not wait and see.
Driving is very dangerous and stressful during a bushfire with smoke making it hard to see, fallen trees over the road and power lines down. The speed of the fire could also trap you and burn your vehicle. Cars do not protect you from radiant heat. You should know the travel time and distance to your safer place, and include this information in your bushfire survival plan.
If you are not able to leave early, staying and sheltering may be your safest option. You will need to actively defend your property regardless of what you planned to do. Preparing your property will give you and your home the best chance of survival.
Use DFES’s You and your family planned to leave but it is too late checklist (PDF - 59 KB) to see the actions you need to take to prepare your home. Preparing your property will give you and your home more chance of survival.
Bushfires move quickly, make sure you and your family know where your safer place is, how you will get there and when you will go. Families with children or occupants who are sick, elderly or with a disability need to leave especially early. You need to act the moment you know there is danger, do not wait and see.
Driving is very dangerous and stressful during a bushfire with smoke making it hard to see, fallen trees over the road and power lines down. The speed of the fire could also trap you and burn your vehicle. Cars do not protect you from radiant heat. You should know the travel time and distance to your safer place, and include this information in your bushfire survival plan.
If you are not able to leave early, staying and sheltering may be your safest option. You will need to actively defend your property regardless of what you planned to do. Preparing your property will give you and your home the best chance of survival.
Use DFES’s You and your family planned to leave but it is too late checklist (PDF - 59 KB) to see the actions you need to take to prepare your home. Preparing your property will give you and your home more chance of survival.
