Fireproof your home before Summer

Member for Robertson Gordon Reid with staff at Saratoga Fire Station

Member for Robertson Gordon Reid is encouraging Central Coast residents to book a safety visit through Fire and Rescue NSW ahead of a predicted hot, dry Summer.

Reid said it was important for all homes to have working smoke detectors.

“A home safety visit will have firefighters visit your home and inspect your smoke alarms to determine whether they are in good working condition,” he said.

“If your home requires a new smoke alarm or a change of batteries, Fire and Rescue NSW will organise this, at no cost to homeowners.

“There are vulnerable people in the community who cannot always check to see whether their smoke alarms are working or suitably located in the house.

“This service allows vulnerable people to organise Fire and Rescue NSW to visit their home and identify any potential problems with their smoke alarms.

“As an emergency doctor, I cannot overstate how important home smoke alarms are for your health and for peace of mind.

“Smoke alarms provide an early warning of a potentially deadly fire and reduce the chances of harm.”

Reid thanked all the region’s emergency service workers, especially firefighters who respond to a range of challenging callouts every day.

Saratoga Fire Station Captain Craig Dodds said Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) was encouraging residents to stay vigilant around fire danger this spring.

“There were 930 residential fires across NSW in Spring last year,” he said.

“No fewer than 40 per cent of them started in kitchens or cooking areas so your local firefighters want to help you stay safe during the warmer months.

“Always keep ‘looking while you’re cooking’ and if a fire breaks out on your stove, never throw water on it … that will make the flames more intense.

“Turn the stove off and ensure you have a fire blanket nearby to place over the fire and smother the flames.

“Make sure you have at least one smoke alarm in working order, installed in or near bedrooms as a priority.

“We also recommend you invest in at least one fire extinguisher for your home.

“If you have several, ensure they’re interconnected so an alarm sounding in one part of your home will activate the others.

“This is the time of year when we tend to get stuck into some Spring cleaning.

“Clear your yards of debris and flammable materials like cardboard boxes and old furniture that could catch alight in a bushfire.

“Cut back any foliage you might have and clear your gutters of leaf litter.”

Dodds said with barbecues popular in the warmer months, residents should be vigilant around outdoor cooking.

“When you’re cleaning your gas-powered outdoor cookers, check there are no leaks and that hoses and nozzles are in good, working order,” he said.

“As the weather gets warmer, you’ll be using your e-bike or e-scooter more.

“Remember, don’t charge it where it will block your exit path out of the building if there is a fire.

“If you haven’t created a home escape plan with your families or fellow residents, take the time to map one out … where is the easiest escape route in the event of a fire? Do you have a back-up option? Are you able to phone Triple-Zero (000)? Do you have stairs that might be cut off in a blaze? What about access to a torch if the power goes out?

“The time to think about these issues is now, not in the heat of a house fire.”

Dodds said residents should familiarise themselves with identifying a path to safety and even a few fire drills with others in the home to make it second nature.

“If a major fire does occur in your home, get out and stay out, don’t risk your life by going back in for a few belongings,” he said.

“In the event of a fire, we’ll be there but every second counts and you can improve your odds of survival by following this advice.”

Essential home maintenance includes: dusting and checking smoke alarms; clearing lint filters; replacing damaged or frayed electrical cords; safely disposing of any flammable liquids; rolling and storing electric blankets; safely disposing of or recycling lithium batteries; disconnecting battery chargers when not in use; degreasing oven, stovetops and rangehoods; clearing leaves and debris from gutters; removing debris from garages and yards; removing obstacles and clutter from emergency exits; and implementing or reviewing a Bush Fire Survival plan.

Anyone can organise to have a home Safety Visit, but they are especially recommended for those over the age of 65, those who live alone, people living with disability, people who are supported by carers and people with English as a second language.

For more information and to organise a safety visit, go to https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/visits

Source:
Member for Robertson Gordon Reid