Stay safe and connected this summer
By Laura Thomas
Summer officially arrived in Australia this week, delivering a mixed bag of hot conditions in the west and cold in the south-east.
It seems variable weather is becoming the new norm.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued its long range summer forecast, predicting warmer than average conditions across the country.
Additionally, it tips below average summer rainfall in parts of the west and inland parts of Australia’s east.
So with a warm dry summer on the cards, it’s important for all of us – and particularly farmers and regional Australians – to be prepared and think about how they’ll stay informed in an emergency such as a fire, storm or flood.
The ABC’s “emergency ABC” campaign is designed to help Australians stay safe and connected when natural disaster strikes.
A is for “Action plan”
Check out the resources on the ABC’s emergency website and create an emergency action plan.
B is for “Be safe”
The ABC website is full of tips to help you stay safe during an emergency.
It has a wealth of handy resources available to help your prepare for an emergency and keep you and your property safe.
C is for “Connect with us”
For farmers and those living in rural and remote parts of Australia, staying connected is vital.
While internet and phone coverage is often patchy at best, ABC Radio provides regular updates during emergencies like floods, bushfires and cyclones.
If your area is under threat, tune into your local ABC Radio station for the most reliable and up to date information.
Its interactive map can also help you locate local warnings and incidents affecting your area.
Stay safe in the grove
As always, olive growers are reminded to keep safety at the forefront each and every time they step out into the grove.
Safety hazards are present at all times of year – during harvest, processing and beyond.
Farm machinery and equipment present a real risk to safety and growers are reminded not to become complacent.
Are you prepared for Fire Danger Season?
As we well know, bushfire presents an ongoing risk for farmers and rural landholders.
For olive growers, fire preparedness forms an integral part of overall business management planning and includes identifying risks and preparing well ahead of the annual fire danger season.
All rural landholders, farm owners and managers have a crucial role to play in both reducing the risk and stopping the spread of bushfire.
Check out this article on the AOA website for more information and a list of relevant state contacts.
Sources:
https://www.abc.net.au/
https://www.bom.gov.au/
https://australianolives.com.au/