Bushfire and your health
Bushfires can impact on your health in a number of ways. Extreme temperatures, smoke and reduced air quality can have severe effects on some people, particularly older people and those with asthma and other respiratory conditions.
Fact sheets
A range of fact sheets are available from the DHS environmental health website (external link in new window) to help you prepare and understand the health issues associated with bushfire. The following fact sheets are available:
- Ash from CCA-treated timber
- Bushfire smoke and health
- Cleaning up after a bushfire
- Emergency power failure food safety checklist
- Fire retardants and health
- Food safety and energy power failure
- Heat stress - preventing heat related illness
- Water tanks and bushfires
The Better Health Channel (external link in new window) has additional information.
The Pantry List (external link) has been prepared to provide guidance on stocking your pantry should an emergency disrupt food supply.
General health advice
NURSE-ON-CALL (external link in new window) is a phone service that allows you to discuss any health related issue with a registered nurse, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the cost of a local call from anywhere in Victoria. Call 1300 60 60 24.
You should talk to your doctor or local community health service if you feel unwell. You can find this information using the health service search on the Better Health Channel (external link in new window).