Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) is reminding members of the community to remain vigilant and safeguard their homes and properties from residential fires this summer.
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As December is the time when households put up Christmas trees, fire up barbecues and plan summer holidays, FRNSW has provided a number of suggestions to keep you and your loved ones safe this summer.
These measures include;
- When setting up fairy lights and other electrical displays, use only one item per power socket and don't overload power boards or piggyback double adaptors
- For maximum safety if you use a power board, ensure it has both overload protection and earth leakage protection devices incorporated
- Only use decorative lights that have an Australian Standards label and follow manufacturer's instructions on setting up and operating
- Check lights and electronic decorations for faults, worn plugs and frayed cords
- Inspect the plugs and leads of used decorative lights to ensure they are in good working order. If in doubt, replace the lights
- Decorative lights may become very hot so keep away from children and flammable materials such as wrapping paper, decorations or curtains and don't leave burning candles unattended
- Candles should be used in a safe position away from Christmas Trees or other flammable material and out of reach of children. Extinguish them if you leave the room and always before going to bed
- Switch off all electrical displays and decorative lights before going to bed
- Make sure you have a sufficient number of working smoke alarms throughout your home that are tested regularly and are supported by a written home escape plan in case of fire.
For general home fire safety, the usual recommendations apply all year round.
For instance, make sure your smoke alarms are working properly, clear any clutter, weeds and debris from outside the home, and check electrical equipment and fittings such as fans that may not have been used since last summer.
It is important to ensure exits and escape points around your home are clear, to conduct drills to familiarise your home fire escape plan, and to lock pool chemicals, pesticides and fertilisers in a cool dry place.
Also, before lighting your barbecue, check the use-by date on your gas bottles, check connections on the hose are tight and not leaking, and check hoses are not damaged or perished.
And remember, before you leave for a holiday, check that smoke alarms in your home and your caravan are in working order, electrical appliances are turned off and unplugged, gutters are clear of leaves and debris and all combustible materials such as leaves, grass, timber and paper have been removed from around your home.
At all times ensure that any Lithium-Ion battery-powered devices are not left on charge when you're not home.
FRNSW Commissioner, Jeremy Fewtrell, recommended booking a home fire safety visit from local firefighters.
"If you're not sure how safe your home is, follow the link and book a visit," Commissioner Fewtrell said. "Firefighters can pop around, carry out a detailed safety inspection and advise you how to better safeguard your home.
"They can even install a smoke alarm free of charge, if necessary.
"There's no excuse for complacency when it comes to fire safety, especially over summer."
You can find additional advice on the FRNSW website: fire.nsw.gov.au/
