By Laura Michell
Firefighters are urging people to take more care around their home despite a drop in preventable house fires across the state.
Latest CFA statistics reveal an 18 per cent decline in the number of preventable Victorian house fires in July compared to the same time last year.
In Wyndham, crews were called to four preventable house fires last month, compared to 12 in Brimbank, eight in Maribyrnong, six in Hobsons Bay and five in Melton.
Wyndham had the lowest number of preventable fires in the western suburbs in July.
CFA acting deputy chief officer Gavin Thompson said while most people were heeding safety messages, many house fires could be prevented if people were more attentive in the kitchen. Research has found most house fires start in the kitchen, followed by a bedroom.
“It’s very easy to get distracted around dinner time,’’ Mr Thompson said.
‘‘We recommend people take extra care when cooking to ensure they don’t accidentally start a house fire.
“Either turn off the stove when leaving the room or take a wooden spoon or utensil with you so you remember to go back.”
The CFA has launched a campaign urging people to be aware of fire risks around their home. It uses humour to draw attention to the unsafe mistakes people can make.
CFA research has found that many people think the traditional messages around home fire safety are directed at children rather
than adults.
“So many house fires are caused by small mistakes in the home, mistakes that could have been avoided,” Mr Thompson said.
“Unattended cooking, smoking, poorly maintained appliances or hanging clothes too close to a heater are all common culprits.”
Wyndham Vale CFA captain Trevor Weston said people could improve safety around
the home by ensuring they had working
smoke alarms.
For more fire safety tips, visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au.
