Bushfires - are you fire ready?

Prepare yourself before the bushfire season starts. Make sure you plan your actions to deal with a threat or emergency and protect your health. The best way to do this is to prepare a Bushfire Survival Plan.

More information

• Country Fire Authority
• Department of Human Services - Emergency assistance
• Department of Human Services - Emergency Management

Preparing for fire

It is normal to feel anxious during bushfire season and this anxiety may be worse for people who have been affected by fire before. Bushfires can also put you at risk of heat-related illness, dehydration and breathing problems. Prevention is the best way to protect your health in a fire.

• Bushfire season - prepare your mind
• Heat stress and heat-related illness
• Bushfire smoke
• Bushfires - people with a disability

Safety and first aid

Plan to look after your safety and learn how to treat injuries caused by bushfire such as burns, shock and eye damage.

• Shock
• Burns
• Sunburn
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• Emergencies - when to call an ambulance
• Eye injuries - flash burns
• Wounds - how to care for them
• First aid kits
• Water - a vital nutrient

If you are concerned that someone may be suffering from heat-related illness or other effects as a result of fire, encourage them to see their doctor. For further advice or health information, contact Nurse-on-Call on 1300 60 60 24.

Recovering from emergencies

It is normal to have strong emotional or physical reactions after a distressing or frightening event. These feelings are part of the healing process and may last for days, weeks or even longer. Learn how to help yourself and others cope with and recover from these experiences.

• Trauma - how our body reacts
• Trauma - reacting and recovering
• Trauma - helping loved ones
• Trauma - after effects

If at any time you are worried about your mental health or the mental health of a loved one, call Lifeline 13 11 14.

After the bushfire - hazards

Take care when cleaning up after bushfires - debris, smoke and contaminated water are all potential hazards.

• Bushfire aftermath - hazards
• Bushfires and water tanks
• Pollution - air
• Smog
• Wood fires and breathing problems

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This page has been approved by Better Health Channel:

Last reviewed: March 2011

Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. Content has been prepared for Victorian residents and wider Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that, over time, currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.

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<a href="http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Bushfire?open">Bushfires - are you fire ready? - Better Health Channel</a><br/>
Prepare your home for the bushfire season. Make sure you have a plan in place long before there are fires in your area. You also need to know what to do if you are on holidays in a bushfire region.

Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your qualified health professional. Content has been prepared for Victorian residence and wider Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from a qualified health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.

For the latest updates and more information, visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au

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