How can we help?
Popular searches
back to results
Related Questions
If you can't find your answer, contact us:
Message us

Reach out or reply anytime, anywhere with convenience. Your banking needs, answered in 24 hours by logging into the ING app or your online banking. To find Messages, look in the left hand menu to leave us a message.

  1. Home
  2. Help and support
  3. How to prepare for bush fire season

Prepare for bush fire season

It pays to be prepared for bushfire season

The best time to prepare for bushfire season is before it begins. Keeping your property well-maintained all year round gives an invaluable head start come bushfire season.

Our guide below contains information, tips and resources to be ready for bushfire season.

Your home's structure

Your home's structure

Monitor your gutters - this means removing debris like leaves and sticks from your gutters. This debris is a significant fire hazard. You can look at installing metal gutter guards and plugs to help avoid debris building up. You can also consider fire plugs, allowing your gutters to be filled with water and preventing debris from caching embers.

Move LPG cylinders away from the house.

Maintain your water systems, generators and pumps.

Install steel wire mesh screens on doors, windows and vents.

You home structure
Your backyard, garden and access points

Your backyard, garden and access points

Your backyard, garden and access points

Mow your grass regularly - and even more frequently during bushfire season.

Remove dead leaves, branches and sticks - these are hazards and fuel for fires.

Trim low-hanging branches as much as possible.

Ensure your property has enough size to accommodate fire and rescue trucks. This means at least 4 metres high and 4 metres wide of space. You may need to trim or remove branches to achieve this.

Have your property number be easily seen at its entrance - you need it to be unmistakable in an emergency.

Personal belongings and effects

Personal belongings and effects

It's essential to have a bushfire survival plan.

Ensure you have a fully stocked first aid kit.

Set a reminder every six months to maintain your fire extinguishers. Check the pressure gauge is in the green zone and gently shaking extinguishers to prevent powder from compacting.

Have personal protective clothing and equipment.

Remove flammable material from your property, including boxes, garden furniture and papers.

Ensure you have spare power banks and cables for mobile phones.

It's smart to have a battery-powered radio handy, in case of a blackout or mobile networks failing.

Have appropriate home and vehicle insurance.

Personal belongings and effects
Insurance

Insurance

Just as bushfire season preparation is all year round, so is monitoring your insurance coverage. If natural events like bushfires or floods threaten your area, ensure your home and contents insurance will cover you.

Home and Contents Insurance

Bushfire is covered under ING Home and Contents Insurance policy, so in the event of a large-scale fire, you can be covered for debris removal, repairs/replacement of your home and belongings, and temporary accommodation.

It's also worth remembering most insurers have a 72-hour wait period between when you take out the policy and when you're covered in the event of bushfire or grassfire.

Learn more

Existing customers

If you're an existing customer looking to claim under your ING Home and Contents Insurance policy, please visit here.

If something has happened and you're finding it hard to make your repayments, or you've been affected by a natural disaster, including bushfire, please call our Financial Support Team to discuss your options at 1300 349 166.

Learn more