SIX TIPS TO ENSURE YOU ARE BUSHFIRE READY

CFA MEMBERS have attended a number of fires across the Bellarine this summer, with the traditionally hot period of late January and early February about to kick off.

While all members of the CFA are committed to keeping you safe this summer, there are a number of things you can do to ensure you are #FireReady too.

Here are our top tips for all people visiting the Bellarine this summer.

1. If staying in a holiday house or caravan park, check to see where your exits are in the event of a fire — ensure all guests know how to get out of the house and the meeting point.

2. Prepare your fire plan in the event of a bush or grass fire, which may mean leaving the area early, well before there are any signs of fire

3. If you are on the road and hear the sirens of an emergency vehicle, ensure you safely pull over and allow it to pass.

4. When driving past any parked emergency vehicle on the side of the road with their flashing lights operating, you MUST safely slow down to 40km/h. This is our workplace.

5. Understand the fire danger ratings; if it is an extremely hot day — or Total Fire Ban day — it means you can’t light any camp fires or fuel based barbecues.

6. Download the VicEmergency app to your smart phone, for the latest fire information and warnings.

Always remember to call 000 in the event of a fire or emergency situation.

Visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au for more. Andrew Mahoney, CFA Bellarine Group Community Safety Committee chairman