Print this article as your check list:
o Do you have WORKING SMOKE ALARMS fitted?
o If so, do you TEST THEM every month?
o Have you set a date each year to change BATTERIES whether they need it or not?
o Has everyone in the home been taught how to: GET DOWN LOW AND GO GO GO? This is not just for the kids! And have they been told why they have to do this? (because smoke rises)
o Does everyone know that when they are down low and crawl to the door, they must feel the door with the back of their hand for heat? If the door is hot, there is fire on the other side. DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR if it is hot. If you burn the back of their hand you can still use the palm of the hand to open doors and windows.
o Have you made up an ESCAPE PLAN with the whole family? Have two ways out of each room. Do not smash the window-open it to avoid cuts. Hang a copy of the plan on the fridge so visitors can see it. Close doors behind you as you are leaving the house, this will slow the spread of fire between rooms.
o Have you chosen a MEETING PLACE outside for everyone to go to?
o Have you PRACTICED the ESCAPE PLAN with the whole family? DO NOT GO BACK INSIDE FOR ANYTHING!!!
o Does everyone in the home know how to RING 000? (call it triple zero when instructing kids, due to text messaging some think 0 is the letter O)
o Does everyone know how to STOP, DROP and ROLL if their clothing is on fire?
o Have you checked ELECTRIC BLANKETS for damaged or frayed cords and wires?
o Do you keep HEATERS AND CANDLES away from curtains and bedding? Never leave either unattended!
o Have FLUES and CHIMNEYS been cleaned for heaters?
o Do you have a SCREEN in front of your open fire? Make sure ashes from your heater are totally extinguished before emptying them in the yard.
o Do you dry clothes in front of the heater? Don’t do it! If you must, keep them at least ‘a meter from the heater’ and never leave them unattended.
o Clean lint from DRYERS every time you use them!
o Have a FIRE EXTINGUISHER and FIRE BLANKET located near the exit in the kitchen.
o DO NOT hang them near the stove.
o DO NOT leave the house with APPLIANCES turned on.
o Install a smoke alarm outside of each sleeping area and one inside the bedroom if the door is closed during the night. Don’t forget to install one in your caravan.
Fire and Permit season has finished but you will still need to abide by the same rules, you just don’t need the permit. You need to comply with the Dungog Council “Clean Air Policy” also. You can find this on the council website www.dungog.nsw.gov.au/council/council-documents/council-policies/control-open-burning
Notify neighbours and the RFS 24 hours before lighting. THIS APPLIES ALL YEAR ROUND – EVEN OUT OF FIRE SEASON.
Members of the public can now use their mobile or computer to lodge notifications about planned hazard reductions or burn offs 24 hrs /7 days a week at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/notify You can still lodge your notification at 4015 0000 if you are unable to go online. Your Bush Fire Survival Plan, Fire Danger Ratings, Bush Fire Alerts and Neighbourhood Safer Places can be found at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au
PREPARE, ACT, SURVIVE.
Stay safe until next time, Di Bennett OAM
Lower Hunter Zone Community Engagement Team
www.rfs.nsw.gov.au for more information
