General News
26 September, 2025
Long weekend safety urged
Heading into the AFL Grand Final frenzy, Victoria’s emergency services remind the community to stay safe this long weekend.
The anticipated clash between the Brisbane Lions and Geelong Cats is expected to be a busy weekend for more than just those on the field.
The state’s emergency services have given the community some winning tips to keep themselves and those around them safe and well this long weekend.
The AFL Grand Final long weekend begins today, September 26, and runs through to Sunday, September 28.
Victoria Police are warning locals that Operation Scoreboard, which kicked off yesterday, will be a major crackdown on drink and drug driving over the coming days.
The organisation warns police will be highly visible across the state in an effort to reduce road trauma.
Victoria Police revealed over 700 motorists were detected drink or drug driving over the grand final weekend in the past three years.
That’s 415 drivers over the limit for alcohol, and 312 with drugs detected in their system across 2022 to 2024.
The data showed that fifty-one percent of drivers had a blood alcohol reading between 0.050 and 0.099, with 38 percent blowing two or more times over the legal limit (0.100 up to 0.299).
Those aged between 25 and 34 were the most prolific grand final long weekend offenders, Victoria Police explained, followed by 35 to 44 years olds making up 21 percent of detections.
The data also showed there have been 60 collisions over the long weekend where the driver was impaired by alcohol, drugs or both, with more than half occurring on the Saturday.
It’s concerning data for Assistant Commissioner Road Policing Glenn Weir, who urges the community to act responsibly in the coming days.
“History shows that impaired driving is a significant issue over the AFL Grand Final weekend, and the last thing we want to see is further road trauma caused by something that is completely avoidable,” he said.
“The message is clear — alcohol, drugs and driving don’t mix, so if you’re celebrating over the AFL Grand Final weekend, plan ahead and leave the car at home, arrange a designated driver or utilise alternative transport options.
“Let’s ensure this long weekend remains memorable for all the right reasons — not for the wrong ones.”
Ambulance Victoria also calls on the community to celebrate safely this long weekend.
This weekend is traditionally busy for first responders, which is why acting executive director regional operations Michael Georgiou asks residents to save the ambulances for emergencies.
“Our ask is pretty simple — please save paramedics for life-threatening emergencies,” he said.
He reminds community members that a free online video call with the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department or visiting an Urgent Care Clinic are alternatives when you need medical care or health advice, but don’t need the lights and sirens.
“It’s important to know how to access the most appropriate medical care and health advice for your needs in the right place, at the right time — when it’s not a life-threatening emergency,” he said.
Victorians are also being urged to prioritise safety when using campfires and barbecues this weekend.
The Conservation Regulator Victoria, CFA, Parks Victoria and Forest Fire Management Victoria are reminding campers about the importance of knowing the rules around campfire safety to protect fellow footy fans this weekend.
Many people try to put out campfires incorrectly with soil or not enough water to extinguish them completely. Fires that haven’t been properly extinguished can smoulder under soil for days and reignite in the right conditions.
To ensure campfires are safe, Victorians are encouraged to do the following:
Before lighting a fire, always check fire restrictions, including if a Total Fire Ban is in place.
Plan ahead and consider alternatives for cooking.
Follow the designated rules of your campsite. In national parks, fires can only be lit in purpose-built fireplaces unless marked otherwise.
The campfire must not exceed one square metre. Three metres above and around your fire must be clear of flammable material.
Branches and logs on campfires must be no longer than one metre.
Don’t leave a campfire unattended. An adult must stay within a 50-metre line of sight.
Extinguishing a campfire with at least 10 litres of water every time you leave the site.
All rubbish must be taken home with you, not burned.
Goldfields CFA Group Officer Peter Higgins said campfire safety is common sense.
“Don’t be an idiot. If you’re going to have campfires or any out in the bush, there are strict requirements about how to burn safely,” he said.
“Even though we are out of the Fire Danger Period, you can still get fined in a lot of shires for not following restrictions.
“Please make sure your fire is in a pit if you’re out in the bush. More importantly, if you are in the bush, make sure you have enough water to put it out in case something happens.”
Victorians are also urged to remain vigilant around barbecues and fire pits.
“For the hundreds of thousands of barbecues that will happen on Grand Final Day in people’s backyards, if you’re using a gas bottle, make sure it’s safe, make sure it meets Australian standards,” Mr Higgins said.
“You can do simple stuff like putting soapy water on connections of your gas bottle. If you pour it over and get any air bubbles, that’s an indicator that you have a release of gas.
“Don’t put your face near the gas barbecue to see if the flames are working, make sure you’re not near flammable liquids. What’s worse is if you have to go to the hospital with superficial burns.
“The last thing we need to do on Grand Final Day is be coming to put fires out when we should be at home having a few beverages and watching the footy.”