Winter the Most Dangerous Time for House Fires
Last modified: June 4, 2009 - 9:28 AM
The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) Southern Tablelands Zone is urging residents in the Goulburn Mulwaree, Upper Lachlan and Yass Valley Local Government areas to be especially vigilant with fire safety in their home as winter takes hold. “Many people wrongly believe that a house fire can’t happen to them,” said. Peter Dyce Community Education Officer “Every winter, RFS volunteers attend numerous house fires in our area and many of these could have been avoided by residents taking a few simple steps.
“Winter is the most dangerous period for house fires and it’s important that every home is made as fire safe as possible, by checking items like heaters, electric blankets, clothes dryers and smoke alarms. “Portable heaters should be kept well away from items like curtains, furniture and clothing at all times and residents with wood fired heaters should take special care by using a fireplace screen and properly disposing of hot ashes. “Electric blankets should be checked for damage or frayed cords before they’re put on the bed and once they’re on the bed, turn them off when not in use. “Clothes dryers need to be checked regularly and the lint filter cleaned every time they’re used to prevent a fire starting. “And every home should have at least one working smoke alarm, which could give you valuable warning in the event of a fire and valuable seconds to get out”.
Peter Dyce said as well as taking these steps, it’s also important for every home to have a well rehearsed home fire escape plan. “A well rehearsed home fire escape plan means everyone in your home knowing what to do and where to go in the event of a fire. “It’s especially important for residents in rural or outlying areas, who may be living some distance from fire services. “Every second counts in a house fire and having a working smoke alarm and a well rehearsed escape plan could mean the difference between surviving a fire or not,” said Peter Dyce Community Education Officer.
For further information contact 62263100 during office hours
Contact details
Peter Dyce
Tel: 02 6226 3100
Peter.Dyce@rfs.nsw.gov.au
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