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Please be safe when returning to your property

Page contents: Introduction | Protect yourself | Handling wastes | Food | Water tanks | Septic tanks | Take care of yourself | Download documents

Introduction

Houses, sheds and other buildings or structures burnt in a bushfire can leave potential health hazards, including fallen objects, sharp objects, smouldering coals, damaged electrical wires, leaking gas and weakened walls.

Hazardous materials that may be present after the fire include: asbestos; ashes, especially from burnt treated timbers (such as copper chrome arsenate or ‘CCA’); LP gas cylinders; medicines; garden or farm chemicals; other general chemicals (for example, cleaning products); metal and other residues from burnt household appliances; and dust.

Check with your local emergency services that it is safe to return to your property.

Where possible, try to avoid taking children onto fire-damaged properties. If you do, please ensure they remain protected at all times.

Protect yourself

Wear protective clothing, including:

• sturdy footwear and heavy-duty work gloves
• disposable coveralls (with long sleeves and trousers)
• P2 face masks

When leaving the property, dispose gloves, coveralls and the face mask into a garbage bag. Wash your hands after removing contaminated clothing and articles. Shoes should be cleaned before being worn again.

Kits containing protective coveralls, gloves and face masks can be obtained through your local government relief and recovery centre.

Handling Wastes

It is unsafe to spread or disturb ash around your property, particularly if CCA treated timber was burnt. If materials containing asbestos were used in your home or other structures and damaged it can now be harmful.

Food

All foods that have been fire damaged or affected by heat should be discarded. This includes all perishable and non-perishable foods, for example, cans or packaged foods. Power outages can also leave perishable foods that may have been refrigerated unsafe to eat.

Water tanks

Bushfires generate large amounts of smoke and ash and your tank water could have become contaminated from debris and ash or dead animals. If the water tastes, looks or smells unusual do not drink it or give it to animals.

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Septic tanks

Remember, your septic tank may have been weakened in the fire so do not drive or walk over it. If you suspect your septic tank has been physically damaged, contact a Licensed Plumbing Practitioner to have it assessed.

Take care of yourself

For safety reasons, please try to limit the time spent at your property. However, if you will be there for an extended period, please remember to bring with you:

• bottled drinking water
• food (perishable food should be kept cool in an esky or cooler bag)
• sunscreen
• a hat

Returning to your property may be stressful and exhausting. It is important that you look after yourself. Specialist counselling and support services are available through your local government relief and recovery centre.

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 Please be safe when returning to your property

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