Every summer, Australians are reminded of something they'd rather not think about: the bush can burn, and it can burn fast.
The Black Summer of 2019–2020 burnt more than 18 million hectares. Entire towns were evacuated with minutes of warning. People grabbed what they could and ran. Many grabbed nothing at all.
Emergency services are consistent in their advice: prepare early, prepare thoroughly, and have a plan before fire season begins. Here's a practical checklist to get you started.
72 Hours Before a Threat
- Check your local fire danger rating daily during fire season
- Know your evacuation routes — at least two options in different directions
- Have a designated meeting point for your family if you're separated
- Fill your car with fuel
Your Go-Bag Should Include:
- Government-issued ID and important documents (keep copies in the cloud)
- Cash in small denominations
- Medication for at least 72 hours
- Phone charger and portable battery pack
- First aid kit
- Change of clothes for each family member
- Food for 3 days — focus on non-perishables
- Water filtration device — because bottled water is heavy and may not be available
Water During Evacuation This is where most families fall short. They either carry too little bottled water, or none at all. A water filtration straw like the ClearX Pro™ means you can draw clean water from any freshwater source you encounter during evacuation — a creek, a dam, a puddle — without relying on bottled water being available at your destination.
After You Return Home
- Do not drink tap water until your council has confirmed it is safe
- Check your hot water system and pipes for damage
- Ash runoff from burnt vegetation can contaminate local water sources for weeks
For Pets
- Have a carrier and enough food for 3 days
- Know which evacuation centres accept animals
- Keep vaccination records accessible
Bushfire preparedness isn't about being paranoid. It's about making sure that if the worst happens, you're not making decisions under panic. Preparation is the one thing that gives you options when everything else is out of your control.