Be safe this summer
Published on 01 December 2024
Summer is a great time in Hume City, but it's also a time when we need to be mindful of our safety and the safety of others.
Along with barbecues and trips to the pool, summer also brings heatwaves, thunderstorm asthma, the fire danger period and increased snake sightings.
Here's a few things you can do to be safe this summer:
Know asthma first aid
Spring and summer are high-risk seasons for thunderstorm asthma, which can be sudden, serious and even life-threatening. The Victorian Department of Health issues an Epidemic thunderstorm asthma risk forecast twice daily during the grass pollen season (October through December).
You could save a life by knowing asthma first aid, which includes knowing how to administer asthma-relieving medication and when to call an ambulance.
Translated resources on Thunderstorm Asthma are available via the Better Health Channel.
Watch around water
Going for a swim is a great way to cool off, but please ensure you and your family stay safe around water. Council and Life Saving Victoria urge everyone to:
- supervise children at all times around water
- learn swimming and lifesaving skills
- wear a lifejacket when boating, fishing or paddling
- avoid alcohol around water.
Our pools are a great place to cool off, get some exercise and learn to swim. To learn more about how to keep children safe around water, visit the
Watch Around Water Learning Portal.
All swimming pools and spas capable of containing water greater than 30-centimetres deep, must be registered with Council and have a compliant safety barrier. Visit Swimming Pools, Spas, Safety Barriers and Registration Requirements for more information.
Beat the heat
Extreme heat will affect everyone, and the most easily affected are babies and children, people with a medical condition and elderly people.
The best way to prevent heat-related illness and life-threatening heatstroke is to stay somewhere cool and drink plenty of water.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) will notify DHHS of anticipated extreme heat and alerts will be issued. View our Heat Health Plan for more information.
Summer snake safety
Snakes become more active in spring through to autumn, and will often seek warm places to sunbake, which can be in parks and reserves, and sometimes in backyards with dense shrubs, tree hollows and long grass. Snakes are also commonly seen near waterways and wetlands, in search of food such as frogs and lizards. For more information, read the Living with Wildlife - Snakes factsheet(PDF, 1MB) or visit native animals.
Be fire ready
The fire danger period is when fire services restrict the use of fire in the community to help prevent fires from starting and keeps the community safe. Due to wet conditions, the predication from fire services is that the fire danger period maybe declared as late as end of December or early January.
Make sure you know what you can and can't do during the Fire Danger Period and pay attention to fire restrictions and warnings, prepare your property and be sure to have a plan in place.
If you live right next to grassland and a grassfire starts, walk at least two streets back from the fire and monitor conditions. If you live two or three streets away from grassland and a grassfire starts, stay where you are. Grassfires are unlikely to spread into built up areas. Never drive if you can see smoke or fire as visibility may be affected and roads should be kept clear for emergency services.
Download the VicEmergency app for timely, relevant and tailored warnings and information in Victoria.
We are aware that there are areas of long grass across Hume City. Our parks, reserves and open space are mowed every 4 to 6 weeks. With the rain we've had this spring, grass is growing fast and getting longer than usual between trims.
With more wet weather on the way, it's likely that this pattern will continue throughout summer. We appreciate your patience over this period.
Disposing of waste responsibly
Kerbside bins will be emptied as usual over the Christmas holiday period, there will be no changes to your bin day.
Our Resource Recovery Centres (tips) in Campbellfield and Sunbury will be closed on Christmas Day and New Years Day, and closing at midday on Christmas Eve. They’ll be open as normal every other day during the festive season over summer.
If you have excess waste over the festive period don't forget to take advantage of the options you have available including, at-home hard waste collections and passes to the tip.
Find out more about your waste options by visiting our Waste services page.
Make sure your barbecue is safe
Barbecue fires are avoidable. Check out Fire Rescue Victoria's barbecue safety tips for more information about how to prevent gas fires and fat fires. You can also check out the video below from Energy Safe Victoria: