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Please be safe when returning to your property

Introduction

Houses, sheds and other buildings or structures burnt in the bushfire can leave potential health hazards.

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

Watch out for fallen objects, electrical wires, weakened walls, sharp objects and leaking gas.

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

Protect yourself

Wear Protective Clothing/Face Masks
Wear sturdy footwear and heavy duty work gloves to protect you from broken glass, sharp objects or burns from smouldering coals.
Wear disposable coveralls.
Special face masks (P2/N95) should be worn to filter out fine particles, including asbestos fibres.
When leaving the property, dispose of gloves, coverall and face masks into a garbage bag. Wash your hands after removing contaminated clothing and articles. Shoes should be cleaned before reuse.

Handling Wastes

It is unsafe to spread ash around your property, particularly if asbestos materials were used in your home or other structures, or CCA-treated timber was burnt. It is unsafe to raise the dust when walking around your property.

Foods

All foods that have been in contact with the fire should be discarded. This includes all perishable and non-perishable
foods e.g. cans, packaged foods.

Water tanks

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

Septic Tanks

If you have a septic tank remember it may have been weakened in the fire so do not drive or walk over it.

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 (can be accessed at your Community Service Hub)
Sunscreen
A hat

Any perishable food should be kept cool in an esky or cooler bag. Returning to your property may be stressful and exhausting, and people are encouraged to look after themselves and their wellbeing. You are encouraged to make use of the specialist counselling and support services.

Further information

For further information or support talk to the health staff in your local Community Service Hub. Victorian Bushfire Information Line 1800 240 667

Download documents

Please be safe when returning to your property (445kb, pdf)

Cleaning up after a bushfire (67kb, pdf)

"Achieving the Perfect Fit" Donning and Fit Checking Instructions for P2 (N95) Mask (74kb, pdf)

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Last updated: 16 February, 2009
This web site is managed and authorised by Environmental Health, Public Health Branch, Rural & Regional Health & Aged Care Services Division of the Victorian State Government, Department of Health , Australia

For general enquiries to the Department of Health telephone 61 3 90960000