Fire Danger: Leaving Early on Extreme/Code Red Days WIth Preschoolers

[fionas]

As fire season is upon us, I'm interested in hearing other people's plans when leaving early on Extreme/Code Red days with preschoolers.

We've made the decision to leave early if and when we get an Extreme/Code Red day but ... where to and how to entertain two preschoolers for the entire day. There's two towns close (within 20 minutes) that we can get to very easily but apart from going to the swimming pool there, there is no indoor shopping centre there that we could while away some hours plus there's nothing there in terms of hotels/motels if we need somewhere to spend the night. Obviously, if a fire started close to here, we would head straight there but I'm talking about the days where we are going to leave early, not waiting and watching to see if a fire starts.

We could go to Bendigo which has more in terms of entertaining the kids plus hotels/motels etc. but the drive there is through quite bushy area so I'm not so keen on that option. Ballarat is a longer drive (90 mins) but DP seems to think that's a bit OTT.

We don't have friends or family in non-bushfire areas whose house we could hang out at.

What's your plan?

[Charlotte91]

I just talked to DH about our fireplan... It's pretty annoying, if there was a fire DH wouldn't be home anyway, he'd be off fighting it. On code red days he'd be at work waiting for a call out.

Although we live rural, there's not too much bushland close to town and we live in the center of town so we'd be pretty safe. We're surrounded by crops.
So on code red days I'm going to go to my parents. They have an awesome aircon, they help me with DD, they live just down the road.

I'm concerned, considering I don't drive.

[Olive]

Fiona I'm in outer eastern melbourneband from memory either last year or the year before ( or both) on those code red days I'm sure there was a safe area set up in lilydale for those families that had to evacuate from areas past us, maybe contact the council or local CFA

[fionas]

Thanks Olive - I'll double check but I think it would have been publicised by now. We have a place that we can evacuate to in extreme emergency (ie. if there's a fire in the local area) but it's not meant to be a place that you go to just in case there's a fire (which is the scenario I'm talking about).

[Mother Goose]

Those closer spots - do they have any cafe's? Perhaps scope them out and see if they have A/C and good kid friendly menu's. In your emergency bag make sure you have plenty to keep the kids occupied - things like colouring in, ipad/DVD player if you have those, books, fav teddy etc.

Try to see if there is an alternative route Bendigo.

IMO, Ballarat isn't that extreme - you never know what's going to happen and getting out early is important. But do keep in mind that Ballarat and Bendigo can also be high risk areas so BEFORE you get in the car and go anywhere, check the CFA website (or iphone app) to see if there are any warnings or fires for those areas (or along the way). The bigger towns are good though because you have more services (shops, accom, eateries, play centres, etc).

Also have a chat to the local councils, they may set up something. Do those closer towns have a library? Or Community Building?

If you are planning to leave early, don't forget to have a bag packed with anything you might need.

[fionas]

Thanks heaps MG - those are all great suggestions. The idea of the closer town doesn't seem so bad now

It does have a library, cafes and there's an indoor playcentre too I think. So we could spend a significant part of the day there. So I think for the odd day that will be fine.

I think if we get a run of bad days then we might be best decamping to somewhere like Bendigo or Ballarat and finding accommodation there rather than having to spend entire days out of the house ITMS.

[Astrid]

Went through the same dilemma the past couple of years. We would just have to drive 20 minutes to get into the city, but then there was the issue of exactly where to go. There is only so much time you can spend at shopping centres etc and the last thing you want to do is have the car parked in a public place when it is loaded with laptops, photos etc. If really pushed I was going to just get a cabin at the local caravan park. It has play equipment, a swimming pool etc. Cheaper than trying to keep two kids entertained for day or two in the city.

Just thankful this year that the kids have school and childcare, so really only have weekend to worry about. Also if need be I could just take DD1 to work if her school is closed.

[fionas]

Yep, I think that's why I like the idea of decamping to Bendigo to Ballarat. Had exactly the same thought re a caravan park Astrid. They are fabulous in terms of having everything you need, especially for kids. We can just potter there in the playground or in the pool, rev up the aircon (which we don't have at home) and I won't have to constantly think of the next thing to waste a couple of hours. It wouldn't be so bad if the girls were a bit older but facing down 8-10 hours out of the house on a 40 degree day is a little bit daunting in practice.

[Astrid]

The only issue this time of year would be finding a vacant cabin, they joys of a tourist place. Thankfully this year I have some better friendships in the city, so I know there are places I can hang out if I really need to.

[fionas]

Yep, I think anywhere coastal would be a push unfortunately. Infact, if I could get anywhere coastal I probably would have used it as an excuse to go away today to trial my plan and have a day/night at the beach. I've been doing a bit of checking around and Ballarat seems to be a safe bet in terms of vacancies and there's three caravan parks there so plenty of choice (plus loads of motels).

[Miss.September]

A lot of caravan parks have a day visitor fee, so you don't need to get a cabin if you're going to be there short term.

My plan is to meet DH at our local shopping centre if I have to leave and then head to my Dad's house in suburban Melb where I can have the dogs in his backyard and DD can be comfortable. It's unlikely for me though, I live on the suburban fringe, but you never know.

[OceanPrincess]

A lot of caravan parks have a day visitor fee, so you don't need to get a cabin if you're going to be there short term.

My plan is to meet DH at our local shopping centre if I have to leave and then head to my Dad's house in suburban Melb where I can have the dogs in his backyard and DD can be comfortable. It's unlikely for me though, I live on the suburban fringe, but you never know.

You know how close it got last time hun! My family thought they were safe in HB - they had no idea how close it came until after.

We don't have a code red plan - I've just asked DH now. He said "get in the car and get out!" I said "where to??"

The conversation continues.........

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

We don't have a plan, we should.
We could head to DP's mums in flemington but we need a 'which way to get out of here' kind if plan.
All roads to the closest towns are farmland, if on fire there would be no easy out.


Sent from my iPhone, more than likely while I should be doing something else!

[Emma09]

If you have an iPhone/iPad/iPod- don't forget to d/load the CFA app.
It can be programmed to send warnings for fires in your area.
Also- a backup plan for your fire plan is an excellent idea.
Just in case of road closures/low on fuel etc.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mother Goose]

Absolutely you need a plan ZF. What happened was a "rare" thing but there are areas that are considered "hot" zones.

If anyone lives in an area surrounded by bushland/farmland, they need to have a plan. Even if you live in a built up area and think the chances of a fire coming through your area are remote - it is essential you have a fire plan/evacuation plan. Don't wait until it is too late. Plan it now. Practice it now. Get your kids to practice it. The more you practice the more it will be second nature and if you DO need to use it, you will be less likely to panic.

Don't forget to include things like contending with tourist traffic if you do live in a tourist area. Or the fact that a lot of people might be trying to leave all at once. How are you going to get out?

When I was in the CFA, I lived in an "outskirts" town with plenty of bushland scattered throughout the suburb. Year after year the residents were far too relaxed about fire danger. And year after year I was putting out spot fires...in the middle of town...and if we didn't get to them in time there was a very very very real chance of a big chunk of town suffering. Please talk about, set, and practice your plan.

For those of you who don't live in Bush Fire Danger areas, I would still urge you to think about your home fire plan if your house was to catch alight. Where will your family meet? What's your evacuation point? How would you get out? What's your escape route? Do your kids know how to test to see if a fire is on the other side of the door? You know it (your plan), but do your kids? Don't just talk about it, write it down and practice it.

Fire is something a lot of people think will never happen to them. And then it does. Don't get caught out.

[Miss.September]

OP - totally agree. It's irrelevant whether it's unlikely of not, everyone needs a plan.

We could see flames with the fires of 2009, they were about 1km away, plus the neighbours fence caught alight too. We're not considered to be in a bushfire zone and that's something I agree with. So a plan is needed in every circumstance.

[HotI]

the cfa website has a good thingo to make your fire plan. Country Fire Authority

[Astrid]

I've just asked DH now. He said "get in the car and get out!" I said "where to??"

The conversation continues.........

My DH is the same. Previously I argued with him about "where to?" It is all well and good to tell people to leave, but there are many with no where to go. It would be great if one of the safer areas opened up the local sports stadium or similar on those days. I would even pay for somewhere like that.