General News
11 April, 2024
Fire restrictions set to ease
As fire restrictions in the Central Goldfields Shire come to an end on April 15, authorities are urging people to keep following best practices — which includes cleaning up properties and testing smoke alarms. The Fire Danger Period (FDP) will...
As fire restrictions in the Central Goldfields Shire come to an end on April 15, authorities are urging people to keep following best practices — which includes cleaning up properties and testing smoke alarms.
The Fire Danger Period (FDP) will finish at 1 am on Monday locally, as well as in the neighbouring Mount Alexander and Pyrenees shires.
Although restrictions are easing, Goldfields Group Officer Peter Higgins is reminding residents not to be complacent and instead use this time to start preparing in advance.
“Once you get your clean up done early, it’s a lot easier to keep things clean — you won’t find a huge build up in spring that you then need to manage,” he said.
“[We’re expecting] a normal wet season and there’s probably a lot of stuff that hasn’t been burnt off which will continue to grow and continue to get thicker so people can do some safe burning too once restrictions lift.
“Remember to also register your burn even if it’s only a pile of twigs because if someone sees smoke and rings it in, we already know what’s happening on what property.”
With temperatures starting to drop, Mr. Higgins also stressed the need for locals to prioritise regular servicing of their heating appliances and smoke alarms before winter sets in.
“People are starting to light fires now so it’s really important to get your chimneys and fire places cleaned,” he said.
“Normally, when daylight savings ends, it’s also a timely reminder for people to regularly check their smoke alarms, make sure to test them and to keep them clean — it can save your life, it’s as simple as that.”
According to estimates released by CFA, 14 people died in preventable house fires last year with discarded smoking materials, lighters and matches, the most frequent cause of the fires.
“The best way to protect yourself and your family from fire is by installing smoke alarms in all bedrooms, living areas, hallways and garages and to test that they are working,” Fire Rescue Victoria’s (FRV) Joshua Fischer said.
“When you sleep you lose your sense of smell, and smoke will put you into a deeper sleep, rendering you unconscious.
“Only a working smoke alarm will wake you up and give you time to escape.”
When checking, installing, or replacing your smoke alarms, some recommendations by CFA and FRV include:
Choose smoke alarms powered by a 10-year lithium battery.
Smoke alarms should be installed in every bedroom, living area, hallway and garage.
Smoke alarms should be interconnected, so that when any alarm activates, all smoke alarms will sound.
Smoke alarms should be tested monthly by pressing the test button on the alarm and waiting for the test alarm to sound.
Smoke alarms, including those attached to mains power, should be replaced every 10 years.
To check your smoke alarm, press ‘test’ and wait for the beeping sound, then each month continue to test, vacuum, and dust your alarm to remove any particles that may affect its performance.
Apart from getting ready for winter, all Victorians are also advised to be alert and prepared as CFA still expects the grassfire risk to remain across the state, despite restrictions ending.
The Fire Danger Period in the Loddon Shire has already finished, whereas in the Hepburn Shire restrictions will remain until May 1.
For more advice on burning off, visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-pre pare/how-to-prepare-your-property/burning-off