Many of us live in and around farmland and reserves, filled with big gum trees and dry grass. Now is the time to do everything you can to prevent bushfire damage to your home this summer. Keeping the grass around your house and boundary fences short, and cutting dead and low hanging branches from your trees are some preventative measures.

It is important to be aware of the risks of a bushfire, because after all, bushfires are a natural part of the Australian lifestyle. If you are landscaping a new garden, it may benefit you to look into fire retardant plants, trees and ground covers to lower the impact on your home if a bushfire does come your way. There are many native and tough plants and trees out there that have the ability to absorb heat and slow down the spread of a fire.

Note that all plants can burn under the right conditions, no plant is fireproof.