If you live in a high-risk area, you can expect several days on which you, your family and your house may be threatened by fire. You need to know exactly what you will do on these days. You need a really practical plan.

...stay and actively defend your property, or leave early before a fire starts...

It's critical that people living in an area at risk from bushfire develop a bushfire survival plan. A clear decision to either stay and actively defend your property, or to leave early before a fire starts on a high fire danger day, needs to be made well in advance of the fire danger period.

Preparing a bushfire survival plan is an important job that should take you more than just a few minutes. Sitting down with your family to make a bushfire survival plan that suits your lifestyle and your circumstances is time well spent. And it's best to make the plan before the start of the summer bushfire season.

...you can still be at risk in an Urban Fringe or Semi-Rural Area...

Many South Australians enjoy the benefits of urban fringe and semi-rural living. But this attractive lifestyle brings its own risks and responsibilities. Bushfire is not only a threat to those in the bush. If you live in an urban fringe or semi-rural area, you could also be at risk.

High risk areas are not always in the bush. They include the newly developed urban fringe and the very popular hobby farms.

Don't forget, if you own a holiday house, caravan or shack, you need to be prepared there as well.

Preparing for a bushfire is just a part of summer in Australia. You wouldn't drive after drinking. You wouldn't swim outside the flags. You wouldn't go in the sun without sunscreen. Would you live in a bushfire area without a bushfire survival plan?

Are you ready for the bushfire season?

Grass and bushfire can burn along suburban streets, in parks and across highways, so people living in the suburbs and semi-rural areas need to take precautions as well. You can prepare by :

• Clearing scrub and undergrowth from around your home - they are potential fuel for fire
• Keeping grassed areas well trimmed and watered
• Clearing your gutters of leaves and rubbish
• Storing flammable items such as woodpiles, boxes, outdoor furniture and paper well away from the house
• Making sure a hose and a reserve water supply, such as the swimming pool or water tank, are easily accessible.

...the first sign of fire in your area could be smoke...

It is likely that the first sign of fire in your area will be smoke - or even flames - near your property. You may not get an official warning, so you need to be alert and prepared on days of high fire risk.

During a major fire, the fire services will be busy trying to contain the fire. There will not be a fire truck available to protect every property. So prepare your property well in advance and develop a plan of what you will do on high risk days.

In the event of a bushfire...

If you plan to leave - leave early. Don't wait to smell the smoke and feel the flying embers. The most dangerous thing about a bushfire is not knowing exactly what to do and when. If you live in an area at risk from bushfire, decide what you plan to do now. Don't leave late when the fire is nearby.

...prepare your property...

If you decide to stay and actively defend your property, you need to develop a bushfire survival plan. This means more than just clearing up around the place. Think about when a fire may occur. Where will you be? Where will your family be? Who will look after the pets?

If you decide to stay on your property, there are some basic things you should do :

• Make sure you are wearing long sleeves and pants made of natural fibres
• Make sure you have solid footwear - not thongs, runners or other rubber soled shoes
• Move cars into a clear space and wind up windows
• Close all windows and doors and use wet towels to block gaps between doors and floors
• Hose down roof, house and garden - especially on the side of the approaching fire
• Block downpipes and fill gutters with water
• Fill buckets, basins and bath with water and have buckets of water in the ceiling and a ladder at the manhole.
• Once the fire front has passed, check thoroughly for small spot fires, smouldering material or embers and keep checking for several hours.
• Remain calm and cooperate with firefighters.

...and remember, remain calm.