What Is Make-Safe?

What Are Make-Safe Works?

Make-safe works are the first response after property damage — temporary measures designed to protect the building and its contents from further harm. They are not permanent repairs; they are emergency interventions that buy time until the full scope of damage can be assessed and permanent repairs can begin.

Common Make-Safe Activities

• •Tarping damaged roof sections to prevent further water ingress
• •Boarding up broken windows and doors to secure the property
• •Temporary propping of structurally compromised walls or beams
• •Water extraction and emergency drying to prevent mould
• •Disconnecting damaged electrical or gas services
• •Installing temporary fencing around hazardous areas
• •Removing fallen trees or debris from the building

Make-Safe and Your Insurance Claim

Under most Australian home insurance policies, you have a duty to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage after an event. Make-safe works fulfil this obligation. The costs are typically covered as part of your insurance claim — keep all receipts for materials and labour.

Important: Do not undertake permanent repairs before your insurer has assessed the damage. Make-safe works only — tarps, boards, and temporary measures. Unauthorised permanent repairs may not be reimbursed.

Oxide Construct provides rapid make-safe services across all our service areas. Our crews carry the materials and equipment needed for immediate response, and all make-safe works are documented and included in the insurance claim.

How Oxide Handles This

At Oxide Construct, our technology-driven approach to insurance repair means make-safe is handled transparently. Track your claim in real-time through our platform, with a dedicated assessor as your single point of contact throughout the process.

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