Experts have predicted that this year’s summer is set to be above-average bushfire conditions, with dry grounds and fast-growing grass.

Fire Action Week runs until Friday (Oct. 20) – a great opportunity to find out more about the fire risk of your local area.

City of Whittlesea Mayor, Cr Ricky Kirkham, urged residents to start getting their properties summer safe, including making sure grass is cut to no longer than 10cm.

“Now is also the time to talk to your family and to make sure you decide well in advance of summer starting what you would do to stay safe from fire,” he said.

“We all have a responsibility to keep our City safe and there are a number of simple things we all can do to reduce the threat of bushfire this summer.”

Things you can do to help include:

Regularly mowing the grass and raking up leaves
Removing weeds and pruning bushes
Keeping garden beds moist through mulching or other non-flammable ground covers like pebbles
Regularly clearing leaves from gutters, roofs, downpipes and around the base of trees
Maintaining a well-watered lawn
Storing flammable or combustible materials such as woodpiles and rubbish away from your house.