HOUSEHOLDERS have a new way to assess how to defend their homes after Premier John Brumby launched the household bushfire self-assessment tool yesterday.“Understanding the defendability of your home is a critical part of making decisions about what you will do in the event of a fire threat,” he said. “This tool will help people decide whether to leave early, well before a bushfire threatens, or to stay and actively defend a well-prepared house, taking into consideration daily weather forecasts and the associated fire danger rating.”Mr Brumby reiterated that the safest option to protect lives, where there was a clear warning of a bushfire threat, was to leave early.The self-assessment tool is available on the CFA website and has just six steps. Calculate the defendable space around the home by providing information on five important factors - vegetation, property boundary, type of slope, degree of slope and flammable objects near the house. Base any decision to leave early or to prepare, stay and actively defend based on the tool. Learn how to reduce the risk of ember attack on homes. Identify the minimum recommendations and requirements for people, resources and equipment to stay and actively defend. Assess personal capacity to stay and actively defend, including physical and psychological factors. Follow the guide to complete individual bushfire survival plans.For more information regarding the assessments, phone the helpline on 1800 068 611.The launch was part of fire action week which runs until Sunday, culminating in fire ready day.