1) Understand the environment in which you live –is your house surrounded by or near bush, grass or coastal scrub?

2) Assess whether your home has sufficient defendable space by using the CFA Household Bushfire Self-Assessment Tool – this will help you to write your Bushfire Survival Plan – it will help you decide if staying to defend is an option

3) Develop a written Bushfire Survival Plan and find out whether your local area has a Township Protection Plan

4) Practise your Bushfire Survival Plan and if you plan to defend your home you will need to be physically capable and mentally strong

5) Create and maintain as much defendable space around your home as possible by managing vegetation, including grass and shrubs

6) Prepare your property before the fire season – if you do not plan to stay to defend, good preparation and adequate defendable space will give your home a greater chance of surviving a bushfire

7) Gain an understanding of the new national Fire Danger Ratings and what the ratings mean for your bushfire survival plan

8) Learn as much as you can about bushfire warnings and safety – attend a Fire Ready Community Meeting or visit the CFA website: www.cfa.vic.gov.au

9) Form with your neighbours and your local CFA a Community Fire Guard group or join one that exists

10) Update your home and contents insurance