Douglas Brown

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There are no guarantees in bushfires, but you can improve the odds your house survives a blaze. Photo by Edward Doody, courtesy of Arkin Tilt Architects

12 simple ways you can reduce bushfire risk to older homes

Douglas Brown, Western Sydney University

Houses built more than 20 years ago are likely to be more vulnerable to bushfires than newer builds. But there are some simple and inexpensive ways to reduce your risk.
A burnt out property near Miena, Tasmania. The central Tasmanian house was fitted with roof sprinklers and surrounded by cleared land but succumbed to flying embers from bushfires. AAP Image/Tasmania Fire Service

How a bushfire can destroy a home

Douglas Brown, Western Sydney University

If you’re preparing to defend your home from fire, be aware of the vulnerable parts of your house.
Fire threatening a house in Pelican Bay in 2006. If you need to shelter from a fire in your house, know where your exits are and be aware of surrounding vegetation. thinboyfatter/Flickr

Where to take refuge in your home during a bushfire

Douglas Brown, University of Sydney

Leaving early is the best response to a bushfire, but it’s not always possible. Every house is different, but there are some general guidelines for finding the safest spots to shelter in your home.
Transplanting the suburban house to a bush setting needs a rethink. AAP Image/Lukas Coch

How can we build houses that better withstand bushfires?

Douglas Brown, University of Sydney

As we are currently witnessing, transferring the suburban house into a setting susceptible to bushfires causes a lot of problems. Put simply: if you are going to live in a bushfire area you should expect…

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