How to Get Your Home Bushfire-Ready (Without Losing Your Mind)

Every year around this time, I start looking around my home with fresh eyes. The sun’s out, the grass is dry, and the wind picks up — which means bushfire season is officially on its way.

Preparing for bushfire season isn’t just about hoses and sprinklers (though those are important too). It’s also about being organised — knowing what matters most, where it is, and how quickly you can get to it if you ever need to leave in a hurry.

For me, bushfire readiness is really just another layer of decluttering. It’s about making space — physical and mental — for safety, calm, and confidence. So let’s walk through it together using my trusty D.C.L.T.R. framework.

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D – Dream: Picture Your Calm

Before you start sorting through anything, take a breath and imagine what “safe and ready” looks like for you.

Maybe it’s knowing you could pack up and go in five minutes without panic. Maybe it’s feeling confident your important papers and pets are taken care of. Maybe it’s just being able to sleep through a hot, windy night without anxiety creeping in.

Whatever it looks like — write it down, sketch it out, or talk it through with your family. When we know what we’re aiming for, it’s so much easier to take action without overwhelm.

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C – Curate: Clear What Could Cause Chaos in a Bushfire

This is where decluttering turns practical — and potentially life-saving.

Excess clutter doesn’t just make your home feel chaotic — it can literally fuel a fire or block your exit. Start with small wins:

• Keep paper, cardboard, and fabric away from bbqs, cooking areas, power points and electronics, and candles or heaters (in winter).
• Clear hallways and doorways so there’s nothing to trip over in an emergency.
• Store flammable items like paint, aerosols, or fuel safely and away from living and sleeping areas.
• Tidy up around the house — get rid of cardboard boxes, old furniture, or rubbish that’s “waiting for a trip to the tip.”

If you’ve got an overflowing shed or garage, now’s the time to tackle it (or get a Professional Organiser or rubbish removal service involved).

Outside, aim to reduce “fuel”: dry leaves, bark mulch close to the house, or clutter under decks and verandahs. A bit of weekend effort here can make a huge difference.

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L – Learn: Safeguard What Matters Most against a Bushfire

In an emergency, there’s no time to rummage through filing cabinets.

Create a Grab-and-Go Folder with your essentials:

• IDs, passports, and birth certificates
• Insurance details
• House and car ownership papers
• Medical and prescription info
• Pet microchip and vaccination details

Pop these into a fire- and water-resistant case and store it near the main exit or in a spot everyone knows about. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of done here — if you don’t have a fire or water-proof case, an old laptop bag, storage box, or backpack will do. What matters most is that you (and everyone in the household) know what and where it is and can grab it in an instant.

And don’t forget your digital life — back up important files and precious photos to the cloud or an external hard drive you can keep with your emergency kit.

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T – Try: Practise Your Bushfire Plan

Once you’ve got the basics sorted, it’s time to try it out.

Pack a simple Evacuation Kit:

• A change of clothes
• Non-perishable snacks and bottled water
• First aid kit and medications
• Phone charger, torch, batteries, dust masks
• Toiletries and some cash
• A small comfort item for kids (or yourself — no judgement!)
• Pet food and leads if you have animals

You don’t need to go full “doomsday prepper” — just enough that you could get through a night or two away from home without scrambling.

If you’re not sure whether to stay or go in an emergency, check your local RFS or CFA guidelines and make that decision before fire danger days roll around.

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R – Reset: Review and Reassure

Preparation isn’t a once-a-year thing — it’s part of our ongoing reset.

At the start of each summer (or even each school term), take a few minutes to check that your fire plan, emergency kit, and documents are up to date. Batteries die, medications change, kids grow — your plan should grow with you.

Talk about it with your family too. Who grabs the pets? Who packs the car? Who checks the neighbours? These are conversations worth having while everyone’s calm and caffeinated — not during an emergency.

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My Bushfire Plan

TBH, I keep this really simple. In an emergency, we’ll grab our grab-and-go bag, the pets, and our people — keys, wallet, phone — and hit the road. If we have time, we can pack a few extra things quickly (because most everything has a home and we can find what we need), but if not, we can just go. Most things can be replaced or don’t really matter — except for these things.

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Want a Hand Getting Started?

I’ve created a simple Bushfire Readiness Checklist you can print or keep on your phone. It walks you through each area of your home — inside, outside, and digital — and helps you tick off your own peace-of-mind plan step by step.

👉 [Download the Bushfire Readiness Checklist]

Whether you’re in a high-risk zone or not, taking these steps will help you feel calmer, more in control, and less overwhelmed when the weather heats up.

Because being prepared isn’t about fear — it’s about freedom. 🌿

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FAQs

Q: What should go in a bushfire grab-and-go bag?

IDs and insurance, medications and first aid, chargers/torch/batteries, basic toiletries, clothes, snacks, water, cash, pet supplies, and a comfort item for kids. (Full list in the checklist.)

Q: How often should I review my plan?

At least at the start of summer — or each school term. Swap out expired items and update scripts, contacts, and pet needs. NSW RFS and CFA both recommend a written plan and regular practice.

Q: What apps/sites should I use to monitor fire danger?

In NSW, use Hazards Near Me for live warnings and push notifications; also check the NSW RFS site. If you travel to Victoria, refer to CFA resources.