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How to be prepared
 Australia's
Central Coast is prone to bushfires during warmer months
and severe electrical storms in the storm season.
Wyong Shire Council brings you these tips from the
NSW Rural Fire Service and the State Emergency Service
to help
prepare
for
fires and storms.
Bushfires - what to do
Identifying the bushfire
risk
See this information on identifying
the the threats to your family and property.
Storms - what to do
- Check your home before the start of the summer
storm season.
- Ensure the roof gutters
are free of leaves and other obstructions.
- Check your yard for anything that might be blown
around.
- Make
sure you have a portable radio and a torch
with spare batteries in case of a blackout. Stay
indoors in storms and listen to the radio for news.
- Try not to use the phone; stay away from windows;
and switch off all but essential electrical items.
- After
the storm, check for damage and fallen power lines.
Keep listening to the radio in case the storm returns
and contact the SES on 132 500 if you have urgent
home damage. If it isn't urgent, talk to your insurance
company.
- If it was a bad storm, try to
stay at home, which will help keep the streets free
for emergency vehicles.
What to do if you are caught in a storm
- If it is an electrical storm, try to stay away
from tall objects such as trees and poles
- Don't use mobile phones.
- If you are in the open,
try to
make your self the smallest object around, by crouching
on
the ground or
huddling in a hollow, but make sure the hollow
is not a drain or water run off channel.
- If you
are
hiking, remove packs that may have
a metal frame.
A good thing to remember is that if you feel
your
skin
or hair tingle, drop to the ground, this
usually means that lightning is about to strike
near you.
See additional information
Page last updated: 03/01/2008
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