The five essential steps for a safer summer escape

As one of the most bushfire-prone regions in the world, New South Wales is no stranger to flame fronts and heatwaves, but the most recent Bush Fire Danger Period, which ran from October 1, 2025 to March 29, 2026, was particularly complex.

Thanks to record-making winter rainfall, increased vegetation growth and hot summer conditions, the potential for fast-moving fires was especially high, with dedicated volunteers from the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) working tirelessly to keep communities safe. This escalated risk has led the organisation to partner with Airbnb to ensure that safety remains a core part of the planning process for every incoming visitor.

While the official bushfire season has passed, the risks are far from over. As Inspector Ben Shepherd from the RFS explains, “Although the Bush Fire Danger Period has drawn to a close for many areas, fire risk can remain through autumn and into winter in parts of the state.”

As fire danger persists throughout the cooler months, and with summer quickly approaching, now’s the perfect time to fine-tune your fire safety plan. This can include preparing your home by trimming trees and shrubs, mowing lawns, removing hazardous materials and ensuring you have clear access to water — but residents aren’t the only ones who need a survival strategy.

Every year, millions of travellers venture through NSW in search of a seaside escape or regional reset. This has prompted the RFS to urge all Australians and visitors to stay vigilant about fire safety. Whether you’re staying home or heading out of town, here are five tips to keep you safe, no matter where you are.

1. Check the Fire Danger Ratings

As well as keeping up to date with local weather conditions, the RFS recommends checking the Fire Danger Ratings for any area you’re travelling through or to. Updated daily, these ratings provide a clear indication of how dangerous a fire would be if one were to start. On days forecast to be severe or catastrophic, for example, the advice is to reconsider your travel plans or leave high-risk zones immediately.

“Anyone travelling across NSW during and beyond formal fire season should check local conditions and understand what to do if risk levels change,” Shepherd says.

“Being prepared before you go makes all the difference.”

2. Monitor official alerts

When it comes to fire safety, information is your best friend. Save local emergency numbers to your phone, visit the RFS website for regular updates, listen to local radio and download the Fires Near Me and Hazards Near Me apps.

Set a watch zone to receive alerts about your current or future locations, and always tell a friend or family member where you’re headed and when you expect to arrive.

“If you’re travelling in a bushfire area, make sure you have up-to-date information from our websites and apps.”

3. Pack the essentials

A key component of any fire-safety plan is the emergency survival kit. Simply grab a waterproof bag and fill it with everything that can help you during a fire, such as a battery-operated radio, waterproof torch, first aid kit, spare clothes and woollen blankets.

Store the pack in an easily accessible location, and if you do need to evacuate, add water, medication, cash and cards, valuables, important documents, your mobile phone and a charger.

4. Know before you go

Leaving at-risk areas early is your safest option during a bush fire, but it’s also vital to know where you’ll go, how you’ll get there and who can provide help as smoke can reduce visibility and alter driving conditions within minutes.

For visitors venturing through unfamiliar terrain, these risks can pose an even bigger threat — a reality that has driven greater collaboration between emergency services and booking platforms. Airbnb.org’s collaboration with the RFS, for example, shares safety advice with travellers who are organising accommodation, routes and itineraries for future trips.

“Sharing official RFS advice is one way we help people travel safely, and with care and respect for the places they are visiting,” explains Susan Wheeldon, country director for Airbnb Australia and New Zealand.

“When guests are planning a stay in regional areas, they are focused on where to eat or what to explore,” she adds. “We are working to help ensure official RFS guidance is just as easy to find, so safety becomes part of the travel experience from the outset.”

5. Get familiar with local fire districts

Whether you’re at home or on the road, understand which fire district you fall into. Not only will you be able to access information regarding permits and total fire bans, you’ll also better understand the current risks of your location, connect with the local RFS community, know who to contact during an emergency and identify potential evacuation routes and designated Neighbourhood Safer Places (places of last resort).

Safekeeping your next escape is about more than personal safety, it’s about respecting the local communities and landscapes you’ve come to enjoy. By turning expert guidance into proactive measures, visitors remove the guesswork from fire safety and help protect the communities they visit.

For more information and to help plan your next trip, visit the Airbnb safety hub at airbnb.com.au/staysafe