The first shipment of five-thousand new smoke alarms has arrived at Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) headquarters, ready for installation in homes across the state this winter.
FRNSW is encouraging residents to ensure their homes are fitted with working smoke alarms to protect themselves and their loved ones from fire. In just over a month, five people have been killed in residential fires in New South Wales.
Importance of smoke alarms
The new batch of alarms will be distributed to FRNSW stations across the state
The importance of smoke alarms was also reflected in late May when two alarms, installed in a house at Macquarie Fields by a visiting FRNSW crew, sounded during a fire at the home days later, saving a mother and her nine children from potential tragedy.
The new batch of alarms will be distributed to FRNSW stations across the state, allowing firefighters to carry out Home Fire Safety Visits.
During those visits, fire crews can inspect user’s property, provide safety advice and fit an alarm, free of charge, where required.
Authority comment
FRNSW Commissioner, Jeremy Fewtrell, said the new batch of alarms will especially help firefighters assist vulnerable members of the community.
“Smoke alarms definitely save lives,” Commissioner Fewtrell said, “They provide people with the earliest notification and the most amount of time to get out safely in the event of a fire."
“Our firefighters will be out in the community, conducting safety visits in people’s homes, talking to them about fire safety and installing alarms to save lives,” he said.
House fires common in winters
Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib, said having a working smoke alarm installed in one’s home can make all the difference, especially during winter when house fires are more common.
“Having a smoke alarm installed is an easy way to help safeguard your loved ones and gain peace of mind.”
