MEDIA RELEASE: Residents urged to get bush fire ready this spring
With bush fire season approaching, Hornsby Shire Council is encouraging residents to take practical steps now to prepare their homes, families and neighbourhoods for the warmer months ahead.
Residents can learn how to prepare for emergencies through a range of Council-supported initiatives this spring, including a free Australian Red Cross EmergencyRedi™ Workshop at Hornsby Library and the Australian Red Cross Get Prepared app.
The free EmergencyRedi™ Workshop will be held at Hornsby Library on 2 September and will provide information about local risks, emergency planning and preparing for extreme weather events. Bookings are essential. EmergencyRedi Week will also take place during September, encouraging Australians to take simple steps to become better prepared for emergencies.
Residents are also encouraged to create an emergency plan using the Australian Red Cross Get Prepared app. The free app helps people make important decisions ahead of time, create personal emergency plans, establish support networks, prepare emergency checklists and share plans with family and friends.
Mayor Warren Waddell said spring was the ideal time for residents to review their plans and take simple steps to prepare for bush fire season.
“Being prepared before an emergency happens can make a significant difference to your safety and peace of mind. Simple actions like creating an emergency plan, preparing your property and talking with your family and neighbours about what you would do in a bush fire can help you respond more confidently if an emergency arises.
“I encourage residents to take advantage of the EmergencyRedi™ Workshop and download the Get Prepared app, which is a simple way for residents to start preparing for emergencies before they happen.”
Spring is also a good time to take steps to protect your home as the bush fire season approaches. These five simple jobs can make your home safer, even if you tackle just one each week.
- Around your house, reduce vulnerability to embers by installing mesh fly screens on all external openings (doors, windows, vents and weepholes) and fitting draught excluders under doors.
- In your yard, regularly mow grass and dispose of grass clippings in your green waste bin.
- In your garden, prune shrubs, weed garden beds and clear old mulch to reduce the amount of combustible fuels around your home. Consider non-flammable mulch alternatives, such as pebbles or scoria gravel.
- On your roof, clear and remove debris and leaves from gutters surrounding your home, and consider pruning trees that overhang them, with approval where required.
- Throughout your property, prepare and test hoses that will reach all around your home, and consider installing sprinklers for added protection during a bush fire.
For more information about emergency preparedness and to book into the EmergencyRedi™ Workshop, visit
https://www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au/emergencies
