Fire and Rescue NSW offer free safety visits to residents

FIRE and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) is offering free fire safety visits to Mid North Coast residents.

Port Macquarie Station Commander Tim George said FRNSW’s Safety Visit initiative is designed to educate the community about common household fire dangers.

“Our Safety Visits are a great opportunity to remind residents about fire safety around the home,” Station Officer George said.

“As part of the program, firefighters come to your home and carry out a fire risk inspection, installing a free smoke alarm where necessary.

“People cannot smell smoke when they are asleep, so having a working smoke alarm is crucial.

“Our Safety Visit program allows us to improve the safety of some of our most vulnerable community members, and make sure they are prepared to respond quickly in an emergency.”

During the safety visit, firefighters also offer personalised fire safety advice on devices like heaters, power boards and smoke alarms.

Some simple steps to improve fire safety in the home include:

– Check smoke alarms regularly to ensure they are in working order

– If fire occurs, get out, stay out and dial Triple Zero ‘000’ immediately

– Have an escape plan in case of fire and practise it regularly

– Keep a key in any deadlock to assist in an urgent exit

– Never ever leave cooking unattended

– Place drying clothing at least one metre from heaters or fireplaces and never leave unattended

– If you use a clothes dryer clean the lint filter each and every time you use it

– Don’t overload power points and switch off when not in use

– Always handle candles or any other open flame with care

– Only use wheat bags for direct application to body aches and pains. Wheat bags can ignite, and are not designed to replace hot water bottles for warming beds

You can book a free Safety Visit with FRNSW at https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/visits