Every year when Canberra experiences a “two-dog-night”, ACT Fire & Rescue launches their winter home fire safety campaign – and every year they still see housefires caused by misuse of electrical appliances or worse, smoke alarms with a flat battery.
The message is not getting through. Each year ACT Fire & Rescue respond to more than 200 house and structure fires. if you’re in any doubt about fire risks in your home, look at the photo above – a live re-enactment of a towel draped over an oil heater. Within minutes it went up in flames and spread rapidly, charring the curtains and couch.
The blaze was spectacular and made for a great photo opportunity, however, it showed just how easily a home can burn – particularly with modern furnishings that are made mostly of plastic.
ACT Fire and Rescue Commander Chris White said the risk of fires spreading quickly throughout a room had increased due to modern home furnishings.
“I do hope the message gets through to the public but we go to houses all the time and unfortunately we do see homes that don’t have working smoke alarms and we go to fires with failed electrical appliances and overloaded powerpoints,” Commander White said.
“ACT Fire and Rescue unfortunately see the devastating effects that can occur when these devices go wrong.”
So, the warning is being repeated: have a home fire escape plan, check your smoke alarms and make sure they are working, have a fire extinguisher and fire blanket at hand (and know how to use them). If a fire does occur, follow your fire escape plan, evacuate the building and call triple zero, and never re-enter a burning building.
Other common causes of fire in the home include leaving cooking unattended, incorrectly charging or over-charging devices, and using clothes dryers without cleaning the filter.
“A lot of fires we’re seeing this year are fires occurring due to lithium battery devices,” Commander White said. “Always use the appropriate charger for your device and don’t use it if it’s been overheated, damaged or exposed to water.”
For more information, visit www. esa.act.gov.au/be-emergency-ready/home-fire-safety
Canberra Daily is keen to hear from you about a story idea in the Canberra and surrounding region. Click here to submit a news tip.
