Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters from the Central Coast are taking to the streets to educate residents on how to protect themselves and their loved ones from fires in their homes.
Crews from Saratoga have set an ambitious goal to doorknock about 3,000 properties in Saratoga, Davistown and Yattalunga over the coming months and conduct free Home Fire Safety Visits to ensure residents have at least one working smoke alarm in their home.
Every second Saturday, firefighters will head out for up to five hours to nominated streets and engage with local residents on the importance of home fire safety and preparedness.
Since the initiative kicked off a few weeks ago, firefighters have knocked on more than 200 doors, conducted over 100 Home Fire Safety Visits, installed in excess of 130 smoke alarms and replaced some 50-odd batteries.
FRNSW Saratoga Captain Craig Dodds said firefighters had received a lot of positive feeback and praise from the community for the visits.
“The initiative has proved to be so popular with locals they are now approaching firefighters, even when they are off duty, to find out which streets they are visiting next.
“Our firefighters greatly enjoy engaging with residents and there have been many surprising and heartwarming moments during our visits.
“Crews have been greeted by children dressed as firefighters who have excitedly shared their fire safety knowledge, showing us where the smoke alarms are located in their homes and what they need to do in the event of a fire.
“Firefighters also dropped in to see John, a well-known 80-year-old visually impaired man and his guide dog, Renny, to ensure his home had working smoke alarms and that he had an evacuation plan in place.”
Captain Dodds said the visits are timely, particularly as we move into warmer weather through Spring and Summer.
“We are encouraging residents to do a spring clean to reduce fire hazards in and around their home,” he said.
FRNSW advises residents to: clear out any rubbish, piles of newspapers, cardboard boxes, unused furniture and any other discarded materials that could fuel a fire or block exit in an emergency; stay safe while cooking; check the hose and connections on any LPG-fuelled barbecues before use; dispose of barbecue coals correctly; cut back trees and shrubs overhanging buildings; clean up fallen leaves, twigs and debris around the property; and make sure they have a working smoke alarm and test monthly.
Most importantly, if a fire does occur, get out, stay out and call Triple Zero (000).