Be fire safe during weekend cold snap
Published: 19th July 2013
With a dramatic drop in temperature forecast for this weekend, Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Commissioner Greg Mullins has warned NSW residents to take every precaution in the safe use of home heating and cooking.
“The Bureau of Meteorology has predicted very cold weather over the weekend – strong winds, rain, ice and snow in many areas across the state,” Commissioner Mullins said.
“Unfortunately it is during these cold weather snaps that firefighters see a spike in the number of home fires.
“Don’t leave home fire safety to chance. Turn off your heater before you go to sleep tonight and over the weekend, and keep any flammable materials and clothing well away from heaters and open fires. Do not leave cooking unattended.
“The best way to keep your family out of harm’s way and identify potential risks is by doing a FRNSW/GIO online home fire safety audit and making sure you have working smoke alarms and a practised home escape plan.”
People can greatly reduce their risk of fire by identifying and changing risky behaviour and habits, including:
- Turning off heaters before going to sleep
- Keeping clothing and other flammable materials at least 1m from heaters and open fires
- Turning off electric blankets before going to sleepNot overloading power points and power boards
- Not leaving cooking, and other open-flame materials such as cigarettes and candles, unattended.
See what can happen when clothing is placed too close to a heater below.
Complete an online Home Fire Safety Audit at: www.homefiresafetyaudit.com.au
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