After a bushfire: your steps to recovery

Knowing what to do, where to go for help and how to keep yourself safe will help with recovery.(ABC News: Matthew Doran)

Even after a bushfire has passed or been put out, conditions can still be dangerous. Embers, toxic smoke from burning materials, damaged buildings and unstable burned trees can be a risk to your safety.

Protecting yourself

If you have evacuated, do not return home until authorities say it's safe.
Asbestos is a potential hazard when returning to bushfire affected properties - up to one in three houses built before 1990 contain asbestos and it can be harmful to your health. Follow this asbestos safety information from the Federal Government.
If you stayed home, keep wearing protective clothing and look around your property for embers for a few hours after the fire front has passed.
Don't drink water from your tap, tank water may be contaminated, instead drink water from bottles you filled before the fire came through.
Keep a face mask or cloth over your nose and mouth to protect yourself from the smoke.
Call your family and friends to let them know you are safe.
During times of crisis, Australian Red Cross launches Register.Find.Reunite, is an online registration service that lets family, friends and emergency services know that you are safe.  You can register online or in person at an evacuation or relief centre.
Stay tuned to your local radio station, there are three ways you can listen to ABC Radio in an emergency, and/or check your local ABC Twitter and Facebook for updates and instructions from official fire and emergency agencies.

Cleaning up after a fire

Once the fire has passed and your house is cleared of any asbestos risk and is safe to enter:

Throw out any food, drinks and medicines exposed to heat and smoke
Open the doors and windows, sunlight and fresh air will help remove the odour
Wash indoor surfaces (furniture, benches, walls and floors) with mild soap or detergent and water
Wash cooking utensils with detergent and hot water, polish to remove discolouration
Wash soft furnishings bedding can go in your washing machine but some upholstered furniture may have to be professional cleaned
Put soft furnishings like cushions and curtains outside in the sun and fresh air, you could clean mattresses professionally but it's almost impossible to get the smell of smoke out of feather pillows or foam
Wash affected clothes normally and hang them out to dry in the sun and fresh air

Advice for property owners

If you need to dispose of animal carcasses or large amounts of building material, follow advice from your state's department of environment guidelines and go to your local council for guidance.

Rubble may need to go to a site licensed to take that type of waste.
You may need advice on disposing large quantities of liquids like milk if spoiled due to fires.
Your local council or state government may provide support and assistance with waste removal after a disaster.

Safe drinking water

Water from tanks at your home may be contaminated from debris, ash or dead animals.
If the water tastes, looks or smells unusual do not drink it or give it to animals.
If the local council tells you to boil water before drinking, bring it to the boil and then let it cool.
Store water in clean, covered containers before use.
It is safest to boil water using an electric kettle but you can use a saucepan over a gas stove, barbecue or portable gas cooker.
If your water isn't safe to drink, use only boiled water that has been cooled or bottled water for preparing baby formula, hand washing, preparing and cooking food, brushing teeth, bathing infants and making ice.
Dirty dishes should be washed in hot soapy water, rinsed in hot water and left to completely air-dry before using again.
You don't need boiled water for toilet flushing and clothes washing.
See your doctor if you or anyone in your household is experiencing health effects from the smoky conditions.

Helping injured wildlife

If you find injured wildlife during an emergency, contact your nearest vet or wildlife organisation.

If an animal has been burnt, don't attempt to give it food or water. Wrap it loosely in cotton clothes or a towel and keep it in a cool, dark place while waiting for rescue or during transport.
Some wildlife such as snakes, large kangaroos, flying foxes or monitor lizards should only be rescued by trained specialists. In these cases, call for help.
Leave out extra water around your property for wildlife.
In heat or fire events, animals may drink from backyard pools to cool down or use pools to shelter from fires. Make sure animals can escape from pools, add rocks to the steps to make them easier to climb, secure rope to the side of the pool or use floats like noodles or body boards so animals can get out. Check your pool daily.
Consider donating to local wildlife organisation or volunteering as a wildlife carer. Only licensed wildlife rescue and rehabilitation providers or qualified vets may take injured or orphaned native animals into care.

Property damage and insurance

Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to inform them of any loss or damages.
Your local fire service may help secure the premises until responsibility can be handed over to the owner/occupier or insurance company.
If your home isn't safe to stay in, notify police and check with your insurance company whether you can claim temporary housing expenses or obtain an advance on your eventual settlement.
It is the owner's responsibility to secure a site following a fire. Make sure outside doors can be locked and that openings are covered against weather and entry. If you are the occupier, contact your landlord or real estate agent and inform them of the fire.

Utilities

Services such as telephones and supply of water, electricity and gas may be affected by the bushfire.
If your house is damaged, your local fire service will contact the local council, gas, fuel and electricity suppliers to disconnect services as required.
If any services have been disconnected, it is the owner's responsibility to have the service checked and reconnected by the utility service provider.
Do not attempt to reconnect services yourself.

Financial support

Services Australia has support payments for any person in an area with a declared disaster. Your state or territory may also offer additional financial support. You can find this information by searching 'Services Australia disaster support' or 'disaster support' where you are.