Before

Well before the fire has arrived

Outside

• Turn off gas mains and/or bottle
• Move flammable items away from the house
• Block drainpipes with socks full of sand and fill gutters with water
  • Don’t get on the roof to hose it down
• Move animals to a well-grazed or ploughed area away from the house and wind
• Patrol the house well before the fire arrives to put out embers and spot fires
• As the fire approaches, wet the side of the house and garden that faces the fire
• Move your firefighting equipment to a place where it won’t burn inside

Inside

• Close doors, windows and vents
• Fill baths, sinks, buckets and bins with water
• Confine pets to one room
• Place ladder next to roof access hole so you can check for spot fires
• Soak towels and rugs and lay them across external doorways
• Move furniture away from windows

During

As the fire is upon you

• If flames are on top of you or the heat become unbearable move inside until the fire front has passed (usually 5-10 minutes)
• Patrol the inside of the house, including roof space, looking for sparks and embers
• Shelter in a room on the opposite side of the house from the approaching fire and ensure you have clear access to an exit

After

Immediately after the fire has passed

• Check the house both inside and out for fires, including roof cavity, under the house, deck, stairs, windowsills etc.
• If possible, and safe to do so, check all your neighbours are ok
• Contact relatives or friends to tell them you are safe
• Patrol your home for several hours, looking for small fires and burning embers