Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) are promoting free home fire safety checks.
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By contacting your local station you can get them to come out and replace your smoke alarms.
The risk of a fatality in a home fire is halved if there is a working smoke alarm in a residential dwelling.
FRNSW Wallerawang’s Steve Assenheim said everyone should take advantage and it was important to get smoke alarms checked even though they have a 10 year life.
“Battery life doesn’t always last, so it’s really important to regularly check them, especially with fire season coming up,” he said.
FRNSW are also urging people to follow a home fire and safety checklist to ensure you are fire safe in the home.
The FRNSW website recommends following these simple step to prevent starting a fire.
- Installing an adequate number of suitable smoke alarms and testing them regularly is the first step in your home fire safety plan.
- Having a written escape plan in case of fire and practicing it regularly.
- Make sure keys to all locked doors are readily accessible in case you need to escape.
- Never leave cooking or any other open flame including candles or oil burners unattended.
- Clean the lint filter of your clothes dryer each and every time you use it.
- Never smoke in bed and take extra care if consuming alcohol whilst smoking.
- In winter take extra care when using heaters, electric blankets or open fires.
- Don’t overload power points and switch off appliances when not in use.
- Always keep lighters and matches away from children and educate them that they are “tools not toys” to only be used by responsible adults.
More information about fire safety can be found on the FRNSW website.
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