Source: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/prepare-your-family Fetched: 2026-11-03 22:08 AEDT Prepare yourself and family - NSW Rural Fire Service - Header - Main Navigation - Main Content - Footer NSW Rural Fire Service - Facebook - Twitter - RSS - Youtube - Contact us Toolbar Links: - Contact us - Print this page - Accessibility - Emergency information - Home - Fire information - Fires Near Me - Alerts and Warnings - Hazard Reductions - Fire Danger Ratings and Total Fire Bans - Bush Fire Danger Period and Fire Permits - Prevent bush fire arson - Report a cigarette butt tosser - Emergency information - Plan and prepare - Bush fire survival plan - Know your risk - Prepare your home - Prepare yourself and family - Fire Danger Ratings - Alert Levels - Neighbourhood Safer Places - Building on bush fire prone land - Travelling in a bush fire area - Managing bush fire risk - AIDER - Home fire safety - Information for Social and Health Services - Information for workers in bush fire areas - 10/50 vegetation clearing - Rural Boundary Clearing Tool - Farm fire safety - Fire Trails - Static Water Supply (SWS) - Volunteer - Join the RFS - Training - Awards - Supportive employer - Youth in the NSW RFS - Support your local brigade - Support for RFS members and their families - News and media - General news - Media releases - Ministerial media releases - Information for the media - Stay up to date - Film and photo requests - Advertising - Have your say - PFAS environmental investigations - Get Ready Weekend 2026 - St Florian's Day 2026 - Fire Danger Ratings have changed - NSW Emergency Services Volunteers Memorial 2026 - Resources - Bush fire survival plan - Fact sheets - Publications and documents - Bush Fire Bulletin - Access to information - Library - Research - Schools - NSW RFS Insignia and name - About us - Contact us - Fast facts - History - Structure - Our Commissioner - Our Districts - Our Strategic Direction - Doing business with the NSW RFS - NSW RFS and Brigades Donations Fund - RFS Benevolent Fund - Fundraising and sponsorship - Bush Fire Risk Mitigation and Resilience Support Program - Careers at the RFS - One NSW RFS - Coffee4Kids - Fire Control Centres - RFS Glossary Open Main Navigation Menu Page breadcrumbs: - Home - NSW RFS - Plan and prepare - Prepare yourself and family ## Prepare yourself and family Preparation isn't just about cleaning up around the house and having a bush fire survival plan. It's also about making sure you consider your physical, mental and emotional preparedness. A bush fire can be a terrifying situation. Strong gusty winds, intense heat and flames will make you tired quickly. Thick heavy smoke will sting your eyes and choke your lungs. It will be difficult to see and breathe. The roaring sound of the fire approaching could be frightening. Embers will rain down, causing spots fires all around you. Power and water may be cut off. You may be isolated, and it will be dark, noisy and extremely demanding both mentally and physically. If you have any doubts about your ability to cope, you should plan to leave early, well before a fire reaches your area and well before you are under threat. People who are at higher risk, such as children, elderly, disabled or with medical problems, should always leave early. Leaving early is always your safest option. To help your family prepare for a bush fire, you need to make a bush fire survival plan. This will help you make important decisions like when to leave, what to take, and what to do with animals. You can assess your risk using the bush fire household assessment tool. Know your risk. Sub Navigation for Plan and prepare - Bush fire survival plan - Know your risk - Prepare your home - Prepare yourself and family - What to wear - Emergency survival kit - Fire Danger Ratings - Alert Levels - Neighbourhood Safer Places - Building on bush fire prone land - Travelling in a bush fire area - Managing bush fire risk - AIDER - Home fire safety - Information for Social and Health Services - Information for workers in bush fire areas - 10/50 vegetation clearing - Rural Boundary Clearing Tool - Farm fire safety - Fire Trails - Static Water Supply (SWS) - Facebook - Twitter - RSS - Youtube - Home - Fire information - Fires Near Me - Alerts and Warnings - Hazard Reductions - Fire Danger Ratings and Total Fire Bans - Bush Fire Danger Period and Fire Permits - Prevent bush fire arson - Report a cigarette butt tosser - Emergency information - Plan and prepare - Bush fire survival plan - Know your risk - Prepare your home - Prepare yourself and family - Fire Danger Ratings - Alert Levels - Neighbourhood Safer Places - Building on bush fire prone land - Travelling in a bush fire area - Managing bush fire risk - AIDER - Home fire safety - Information for Social and Health Services - Information for workers in bush fire areas - 10/50 vegetation clearing - Rural Boundary Clearing Tool - Farm fire safety - Fire Trails - Static Water Supply (SWS) - Volunteer - Join the RFS - Training - Awards - Supportive employer - Youth in the NSW RFS - Support your local brigade - Support for RFS members and their families - News and media - General news - Media releases - Ministerial media releases - Information for the media - Stay up to date - Film and photo requests - Advertising - Have your say - PFAS environmental investigations - Get Ready Weekend 2026 - St Florian's Day 2026 - Fire Danger Ratings have changed - NSW Emergency Services Volunteers Memorial 2026 - Resources - Bush fire survival plan - Fact sheets - Publications and documents - Bush Fire Bulletin - Access to information - Library - Research - Schools - NSW RFS Insignia and name - About us - Contact us - Fast facts - History - Structure - Our Commissioner - Our Districts - Our Strategic Direction - Doing business with the NSW RFS - NSW RFS and Brigades Donations Fund - RFS Benevolent Fund - Fundraising and sponsorship - Bush Fire Risk Mitigation and Resilience Support Program - Careers at the RFS - One NSW RFS - Coffee4Kids - Fire Control Centres - RFS Glossary - Feedback - Resources - Contact - Sitemap - Copyright/Privacy - Resilience NSW - FRNSW - Right to information Back to top of the page