(preceed) Werribee Fire Brigade’s community safety officer lieutenant Danny Dracic would like to remind residents that now is the time to think about your fire risk during the approaching summer by starting to reduce rubbish, weeds and grass from around the house and back yard.
Whilst the grass and weeds may be slow growing now as spring approaches the growing rate will increase dramatically making the clean up more difficult and time consuming.
If you start your clean up now and keep at it you will find it easier to maintain a clear yard and house surrounds throughout spring and into summer.
Don’t forget to clean out your spouting (roof gutters) and trim trees with branches that over hang your house.
These are especially important if you live close to the rural urban interface where your property may be impacted by fast moving grassfires.
If you live close to grasslands and have mulch in your garden you should have a sprinkler system you can operate to prevent the mulch catching fire from sparks from a grass fire.
If you are concerned with a fire hazard on a neighboring property you could approach the owner expressing your concerns about a fire risk and even offer to help them clean up.
The other option is to contact the Municipal Fire Prevention Officer (MFPO) at the Wyndham Civic Centre and report your concerns to him to seek a cleanup.
The same applies if you have council owned land or crown land adjacent to your property again the MFPO can assist in removal of a fire hazard.
The brigade over recent weeks has attended a number of house fires…cooking, faulty heaters, drying clothing close to heaters and electric blankets are the main cause of these fires.
The time to reflect on home fire safety is every day, most importantly make sure your house has a working smoke alarm in every bed room and hallway.
Test them every week and make sure everyone living in the house knows the sound of a smoke alarm and what to do if it operates.
Always remember to change the battery when you change your clock for daylight saving.
Make sure you have a fire plan for your residence that all the people living in the house know the fire plan and what to do day and night should a fire occur.
It is important you practice the plan, encourage the children to be involved, they should know how to get out of bed – to roll out on the floor to check for smoke before they stand up, same for adults.
Children once old enough should know how to break a bedroom window and use bed clothes to safely get out the window if the door way is impacted by fire or dense smoke.
Once you determine if the house is smoke logged, you all must stay down low and crawl
to an exit, once you leave the house NEVER go back inside.
When outside you should all meet at your letter box to make sure everyone is out of the building and safe.
Your pets need to be included in your evacuation plan and be taken out of the house when you leave and be under your control at all times.
Dogs should be on a lead and cats in a carry basket because there is a large amount of loud noise, smoke, fire, water and strange people around their territory that will confuse and frighten them so they need comfort and security until the event is over.
If you are unable to get to your pet when you leave the house again NEVER go back inside leave the exit doors open and your pet may find its own way out.
Always tell the first fire crew on scene if you think your pet is still inside, firefighters in Werribee have rescued many dogs and cats and have successfully resuscitated some of them.
Now with the good weather approaching you should consider checking that your gas barbeque is safe to use and has not developed any faults over winter.
Firstly give it a good clean then with all the controls turned off turn on the gas and check all joints from the cylinder to the burners with warm soapy water.
A flow of bubbles will indicate a leak so DON’T use the BBQ until the leak is
repaired.
The same applies to caravan gas appliances and portable gas units that you may take camping.
A connected garden hose is good insurance to have near your BBQ area as well as a fire blanket, fire extinguisher and first aid kit.
With all members of the family practice what you would all do if a fire occurs during a BBQ.
Think about who will ring the fire brigade, who looks after any one injured, who may attempt to fight the fire and how will you evacuate the area.
This same procedure should occur when camping or caravanning.
In the caravan park or camping area be aware of where firefighting equipment is relative to your site and how it operates.
You should have your own fire blanket, fire extinguisher and first aid kit with you, also be familiar with the parks fire plan and evacuation procedures.
You should also check the fire danger rating for the area you are in so you are aware of what you can and cannot do during the fire season during summer.
If you own a boat now is also the time to check your safety equipment prior to going out on the water.
Check that your fire extinguisher is serviceable, your flares are in date along with all your other safety equipment you are required to have on your vessel.
Remember a fire on the water is vastly different than a fire on land.
Be very careful when refuelling, be cautious of the electrical system including batteries and wiring.
It is a wise idea that someone on your boat knows how to operate your radio and boat.
Like at home, camping or caravanning you should have a fire plan for your boat and make sure you brief all passengers of your plan and what they should do in an emergency.
