Rural Firefighting News

with Tony Belton

Stay safe from fires this winter

Recently, Stoney Chute and Nimbin brigades attended a house fire just west of Nimbin, and there have also been a number of tragic fires in recent months throughout Australia. It is a timely reminder to prepare for the winter months ahead. Here are some tips on how to stay safe from fires.

• Now is the time to clean out your chimneys and flues if you are about to use your fireplaces or wood heaters. Many house fires happen at the start of winter because this sort of maintenance is not carried out on fuel heaters and cookers. Bird nests, rat nests, and built up soot and smoke by-products can all lead to chimney fires, which can be the start of a smouldering fire in roof timbers.
• Never leave open fires and candles unattended and make sure you put them out before you go to bed.
• It's also a good time to maintain any stove/cooking range exhaust extractor. These can also lead to unexpected fires (due to the build up of cooking fats) if the units are not properly maintained as per the manufacturers instructions.
• Regularly clean out the lint filter in the clothes dryer.
• Be careful with gas and electric heaters in winter. Many fire callouts in winter are either late at night or very early in the morning because people leave the heater on and bedding etc is ignited. These fires are often fatal as the occupants are already asleep.
• All electric blankets and heaters should be checked, and ensure the leads and plugs are in good condition.
• Don't overload power points with extra appliances. (One appliance per power socket is advised.)
• Test and check, and replace the battery in your smoke alarms/ detectors. A smoke alarm is one of your best defences in this type of fire, because it can alert you before you are overcome by the often-fatal by-products of smoke.
• Brigades are also often called out to fires mid-morning as people tend to switch the heater/radiator on when they get up in the morning, and forget to turn it off before leaving for work! Unfortunately for the occupant it can be very traumatic (as you can imagine), to get a phone call saying your house has been burnt to the ground with everything in it.
• Develop a home escape plan and practice it, particularly with your children. (Also have a predetermined meeting point outside.)
• If you have security grills on windows and doors, make sure everyone knows how to quickly open them from the inside.
• Make sure cigarette lighters and matches are kept secure and out of reach of children.

And remember, a little maintenance each autumn can go a long way to you all having a warm and safe winter.

For more information on winter fire safety visit the Rural Fire Service website at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au or contact your local Fire Control Centre listed in the phone book under Rural Fire Service.