Firefighters to door knock dozens of homes to safeguard locals - Lithgow
Published: 31 Aug 2023 02:05pm
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews will door knock more than 200 homes at Lithgow in the state’s Central Tablelands this weekend, offering crucial fire safety advice to local residents.
The move follows similar FRNSW home safety blitzes at Portland, Merriwa and Warren in regional NSW.
FRNSW crews from the local district will seek to engage with locals, offering to test, install and/or replace smoke alarms where necessary, free of charge.
Spring begins tomorrow and that generally results in a large number of kitchen fires.
There were 369 fires in kitchens or cooking areas in NSW in spring last year.
That represents 40% of all residential fires during that season.
Visiting fire crews will offer to inspect homes in Lithgow and Lithgow West, provide advice about fire risks and harm minimisation, barbecue and household fire safety; and even provide wooden spoons to householders to remind them to keep “looking while cooking.”
FRNSW Duty Commander – Metro West, John Moore, said the crews are keen to provide residents with peace of mind and the confidence to engage with their local firefighters.
“Over the last two winters, up to 45% of the homes that suffered fires did not have a working smoke alarm,” Leading Station Officer Moore said.
“Either they weren’t operational or there simply wasn’t an alarm installed.
“That complacency has to change because working smoke alarms save lives.”
Residents can contact their local fire station and book a home safety visit.
You can make a booking through the FRNSW website at: https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/visits [external link]
Updated: 31 Aug 2023 02:10pm
Related safety topics
The leading cause of home fires in NSW is leaving cooking unattended.
It“s the law to have at least one working smoke alarm installed on every level of your home.
Having a home escape plan and a working smoke alarm increases your chances of getting out safely.
Details about this incident may change and should not be used as emergency information and/or advice.
For all life threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000)
For flood information, warnings or requests for non-life threatening assistance, call the SES on 132 500 or visit the NSW State Emergency Service website here. [external link].
For information directly relating to bushfires please call the Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737 or visit the NSW Rural Fire Service Website here. [external link]
Stations nearby
58 Cook Street, Lithgow NSW 2790
36 Rabaul Street, Lithgow (Lithgow West) NSW 2790
1 Cripps Avenue, Wallerawang NSW 2845