Recently the Fire Service
attended two preventable house fires and want to further remind
all households to be more aware and fire safety conscious.
The first fire was caused by long pieces of firewood continuously
being fed into an open fire and the second fire was caused by a
lack of clearance between material and a fan heater
Both incidents did not need to happen.
The solution to the first fire is simple. Use the appliances (fire
place) correctly. Make sure the wood you burn is clean and the right
length, for the size of the fireplace, you use. Or better still
consider using a safer appliance, like a portable heater or heat
pumps etc.
The second fire could have been prevented by remembering a very
simple message: Remember the Heater Metre Rule
– keep all clothing, objects, curtains, furnishings and furniture
at least one metre away from heaters and fireplaces.
Other recommendations for heating appliances
- Always use a fire-guard or a spark-guard with open fires.
- Empty fireplace ashes and ashtrays into a metal bin to cool
before throwing away”
Plus: Check those smoke alarms, now, in case
you have a fire tonight. Practice that fire evacuation plan, now,
just in case.
For more information please contact your local fire station. Or
go to www.fire.org.nz
The information above was supplied by George Stephens
Ross Flood
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