Fired Up English teacher resources -
Part 3: Outdoor Fire Safety
Click on one of the lessons below to start.
Lesson 8 - BBQ and Outdoor Safety
Lesson objectives:
- For students to know how to use a gas BBQ safely
- For students to understand the dangers of flammable liquids and gas
Video/Animation/Demonstration:
BBQ Safety and Gas Safety
Key messages:
- Before you use a gas BBQ:
- check to see if the cylinder is damaged.
- check the hose to make sure it is not damaged or leaking.
- spray the hose and regulator connections with soapy water - if soap bubbles appear, you'll know that gas is escaping. This means you'll need to either tighten the connections or replace your hose.
- Check that your barbecue is clean. Too much fat or residue can catch fire.
- Using a barbecue indoors is illegal. BBQs are for outside.
- Store petrol and other flammable liquids out of the sun in a cool area.
- Anything flammable means it can catch alight and start a fire.
Levels 0-1 teaching tools and activities:
Levels 2-4 teaching tools and activities:
Lesson 9 - Bushfires and Grassfires
Lesson objective:
- For students to know what a bushfire and grassfire is and that they are common in Victoria and dangerous.
Key messages:
- When the grass dries out in summer it can easily catch fire.
- Fire can move really fast in dry grass and bush.
- There are bushfires and grassfires every year.
- Some fires are in paddocks on farms. Some fires are in the forest and in National Parks or Reserves.
- When there are lots of trees and bushes it can be dangerous if it catches fire.
- Some fires can burn down houses and kill people.
- Black Saturday was on 7 February 2009. It was a day that had Catastrophic conditions. 173 people died that day across Victoria in large uncontrollable bushfires.
- Bushfires and grassfires are very dangerous!
Levels 0-1 teaching tools and activities:
Levels 2-4 teaching tools and activities:
Churchill Park Fire, Endeavour Hills
Marysville after Black Saturday
- Activity 9.4 - Create a presentation about the bushfire history of Victoria. Students can develop their own presentation about the bushfire history of Victoria and share with the class.
Lesson 10 - Fire Danger Ratings
Lesson objectives:
- For students to know what Fire Danger Ratings are and where to find them during the Fire Danger Period.
- For students to know that 'leaving early' is the safest option for people who live in bushfire-prone areas.
Animation:
Fire Danger Ratings - CFA (Note - general CFA animation, not program specific)
Key messages:
- Fire Danger Ratings are used during the Fire Danger Period (usually October to May).
- The Fire Danger Rating tells you how dangerous a fire would be if one started.
- Every day an arrow will point to the rating for the day.
- The higher the rating, the more dangerous a fire will be if one starts.
- Catastrophic is the most dangerous rating.
- On a Catastrophic day, do not stay in bushfire prone areas, leave the night before or early in the morning.
- Do not travel into the bush on Extreme and Catastrophic days.
- Ratings are forecast up to four days in advance.
- The ratings can be found:
Levels 0-1 teaching tools and activities:
Levels 2-4 teaching tools and activities:
Lesson 11 - Total Fire Bans (TFBs)
Lesson objectives:
- For students to know what a Total Fire Ban is.
- For students to know how to find out if there is a Total Fire Ban in place.
- For students to learn what they cannot do on days of Total Fire Ban.
Key messages:
- In Victoria we have to be careful not to start fires outside because they can spread very quickly.
- In Victoria there are laws about lighting fires outside and using machinery during the Fire Danger Period (usually Oct - May).
- On a day of Total Fire Ban no fires are allowed outside. It is against the law.
- You can not use machinery that might make sparks like grinders or mowers.
- CFA has a Facebook page and over summer this will let you know if there are any Total Fire Bans. You may also see signs or hear about a Total Fire Ban during the news on TV.
- You can also check the CFA website or www.cfa.vic.gov.au or call the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.
- It is your responsibility to find out.
Animation:
Total Fire Bans (developed for the Fired Up English resource)
- Use the Well-Prepared Property poster and talk students through each item.
- How would they prepare their property?
- What would they do at home?
Activity 12.3 - Draw a poster of a well prepared house close to the bushhide
Page last updated: Monday, 1 September 2025 5:33:22 PM