Prepare your home
Emergencies and natural disasters can happen anytime in Queensland, but particularly during bushfire, storm, and flood seasons. A well-prepared home is easier to defend and reduces the risk to the community and surrounding properties. Generally, keeping your home and premises in a clean and tidy condition will help minimise impact and damage in extreme weather events or disasters. Here are some tips to help prepare your home:
- Inspect your roof regularly for leaks and check gutters and downpipes for rust, loose fixings, blockages, or cracks.
- Clear gutters and roof of leaves, twigs, bark, and other debris.
- Cut back any trees and shrubs overhanging buildings (be careful of overhead powerlines).
- Check and fix corrosion, rotten timber, termites, and loose fittings on your home.
- Fit windows and doors with shutters or metal screens for added protection in high winds.
- Point LPG cylinder relief valves away from your house.
- Know where and how to turn off the main supply for water, power, and gas.
- Check and maintain any firefighting pumps or hoses, generators, and water systems.
- Seal gaps in external roof and cladding.
- Move flammable and/or loose items away from your home (such as woodpiles, mulch, boxes, hanging baskets and outdoor furniture).
- Check in with your neighbours.
- Know where to go for information and warnings.
Council’s Disaster Dashboard provides up-to-date information and warnings relating to bushfires, weather events, road closures, flood mapping and power outages. On the Dashboard, sign up for council’s free ‘Opt-In Alerts’ service to receive text (SMS) and/or email notifications that will be sent during disaster events. Click on the ‘Opt-In Alerts’ button and follow the prompts to subscribe.
Useful resources
Home maintenance and preparation | Get Ready Queensland
Make sure you're covered | Get Ready Queensland
Prepare for bushfire season | Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (qfes.qld.gov.au)