Are you ready for bush fire season?
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Dungog Rural Fire Service wants to help you prepare with a Get Ready Day this Saturday, October 13.
From 9am until 1pm the vacant block in Dowling Street next to the bakery and doctor’s surgery will be a hive of activity with plenty of fun for the children and advice for the adults.
The message is clear: have a plan for what your family will do in the event of a bush fire and make sure all family members know about it.
“It’s just a couple of minutes of your time to make a plan which could end up saving your family’s life,” said Brigade Captain Heidi Thornton.
The RFS members will be on hand on Saturday with information and advice for you to help prepare your own Bush Fire Survival Plan.
One of the considerations in the plan is whether you will stay and defend your home or leave early. This is different for each family and one that needs to be considered as part of the conditions on the day and the age and fitness level of family members.
If you had to evacuate or were leaving early, important things to take are medications and prescriptions, phone chargers, toiletries, change of clothes, important documents and animal toys and food.
Now is also the time to ensure your property is ready for the season by clearing trees and keeping lawns mowed.
Ensure you have a hose that goes the full perimeter of your home to put out spot fires, remove and take inside anything that is combustible including your door mats outdoor furniture along with your wood pile which should be stored well away from your home during summer.
Have a ladder to gain access to check your ceiling cavity after the fire front has passed as well as checking beneath your verandas for hot burning embers.
To prepare your livestock – open all internal gates on your property to allow your livestock the opportunity to move around, away from the fire. Write your phone number on their hooves with a permanent marker.
Take of all halters and rugs as these can burn/melt to your horse or get caught on trees or fences. Never let livestock/pets out of your property as this can endanger the animals, people, vehicles and fire-fighters trying to help.
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