Call Triple Zero (000) in life threatening emergencies.
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed in a disaster. For tips to cope, call Lifeline's on 13 43 57.
There is a link between disasters and an increase in family violence. It can happen to anyone. 1800RESPECT is available for free to support people impacted by family violence. To talk to someone, call 1800 737 732 , text something like 'hello' to 0458 737 732, or chat online at 1800respect.org.au.
Find somewhere safe to go
If you need to leave your home, stay with friends or family away from the disaster area.
If you have a pet – RSPCA Victoria has advice for pets in emergencies.
Heat
Extreme heat can affect anybody.
- Use air conditioning or a fan to stay cool
- Find somewhere you can go to cool down, like public pools
- Wear light and loose clothing
- Stay hydrated.
Hot cars kill. Never leave kids, adults or pets in cars. The temperature inside a parked car can double within minutes.
Look out for people who might be more affected by the heat. Like people over the age of 65 years, young children or people with certain medical conditions.
Ensure pets have access to cool, shady and well-ventilated areas and provide plenty of cool, clean water.
It is best to leave pets at home during heat waves, they will be much more comfortable in a cool home than riding in a hot car.
Returning home
Do not go back home until emergency services say it is safe. It could still be dangerous in your area.
Accidents are more frequent after intense stress. Be extra aware of how you and other people are driving.
Look out for hazards like damaged trees and roads, fallen power lines, exposed wires or broken gas pipes.
Check road closures before you travel via the VicTraffic website.
Tank water
Your tank water may not be safe to drink after a fire. It could be contaminated from debris, ash, dead animals, aerial fire retardants and water-bombing.
If the water tastes, looks or smells unusual, do not:
- drink
- use for food preparation,
- use for brushing teeth
- give to animals (pets or livestock)
Use bottled water for drinking.
If you disconnected your downpipes before the fire, hose off your roof or wait for heavy rain before you reconnect them.
Read more about bushfires and private drinking water on the Better Heath Channel.
Essential water replacement
If we take essential water from your land to fight fires, you can request for it to be replaced.
The Essential Water Replacement Policy makes sure that water needed for homes, livestock, or crops is replaced.
To replace your water, please download and complete the Essential Water Replacement Form.
- Essential water replacement form (PDF, 85.4 KB)
- Essential water replacement form (accessible) (DOCX, 148.7 KB)
Email the completed form to emergency.recovery@deeca.vic.gov.au.
You must request water replacement within 3 months of it being taken from your property. If essential water supplies run out, we will replace the water within 48 hours of your request, as long as it's safe.
For more information, visit Public land recovery on the FFMVic website.
Power outages
Power outage information is on your energy distributor’s website. Find your energy distributor at Energy Victoria.
Staying safe
The most important thing to do in a power outage is to stay safe.
- Make sure appliances are turned off
- Keep clear of fallen powerlines and keep others away
- Be careful with temporary generators
If there has been significant damage to your property, ensure a licensed electrician checks it is safe to turn your power back on.
Find other tips for staying safe on the Energy Victoria website.
Staying cool in a power outage
To stay cool during a power outage:
- wear loose fitting clothing
- stay hydrated
- take a cool shower
- keep skin wet using a spray bottle or damp sponge
Where possible, keep doors, windows and curtains closed to keep cool air in and hot air out.
If you can’t keep cool at home, think about where you can go to cool down like public pools, or air-conditioned buildings.
What you might be feeling
Returning home can be stressful. It’s normal to feel numb, helpless, lonely, angry or hopeful. Understand what you and your family might be feeling before you go home.
Pets
Your pet’s behaviour could change after a disaster. They could become aggressive or scared until things have settled. Talk to a vet if you are worried.
Check all fences and gates for damage.
Scent markers they use to find home might have been affected. Keep them close so they don’t get lost.
Check for hazards at nose or paw level. Things like spilled chemicals, fertilisers and debris could be dangerous to pets.
If possible, only bring your pets home after repairs and rubbish has been removed.
Injured native animals
If you find an injured native animal you can:
- contact Wildlife Victoria on 03 8400 7300
- find wildlife carers and organisations
Health and wellbeing support
Parents
ParentLine is there to help you be a positive parent in difficult situations. You can talk about any issues like behaviour, stress or relationships.
- Call: 13 22 89 (8am – midnight daily)
Young people
Kids Helpline offers free 24/7 counselling for youth (ages 5–25). They can talk about anything big or small, serious, or silly, easy, or complicated, long or short, bad or good, in the past, future or now.
- Call: 1800 55 1800
- visit: kidshelpline.com.au
Headspace can help when young people are feeling stressed or overwhelmed (ages 12–25).
- Call: 1800 650 890
- Chat online at: headspace.org.au
- Visit: headspace.org.au/explore-topics/for-young-people/natural-disasters
Alcohol and drug help
DirectLine can help you take control of your alcohol or drug use.
- Call: 1800 888 236
- Chat online at: directline.org.au
Family violence support
There is a link between disasters and an increase in family violence. It can happen to anyone. Call Triple Zero (000) if you are in immediate danger.
Men’s Referral Service works with men who are worried about their behaviour and want to change.
- Call: 1300 766 491 (8am – 9pm Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm weekends)
- Chat online at ntv.org.au
1800RESPECT is available for free, 24/7. Even if you’re not sure if what you’re experiencing is family violence, you can talk to a counsellor and get the help you need.
- Text something like 'hello' to: 0458 737 732
- Chat online at: 1800respect.org.au
- Call: 1800 737 732
Crisis support
If you or a loved one needs extra support, speak with a local doctor, mental health professional, or counsellor. Call Triple Zero (000) if in immediate danger.
Lifeline offers confidential 24/7 support. They exist so no one has to go through their darkest moments alone.
- Call: 13 11 14
- Text: 0477 13 11 14
- Chat online at: lifeline.org.au
Beyond Blue can help when you need information to support others, or when you feel overwhelmed and don't know where to start.
- Call: 1300 224 636
- Chat online at: beyondblue.org.au/get-support/talk-to-a-counsellor/chat
