THE Metropolitan Fire Brigade is urging all Maribyrnong residents to change their smoke alarm batteries at the end of Daylight Saving next month.
Each year more than 50 families across Australia lose a loved one as a result of a house fire, with the majority of deaths occurring between 9pm and 6am when the household is asleep.
There were 76 house fires across the City of Maribyrnong last year, with 76 per cent of houses affected by fire fitted with a smoke alarm.
From that, only 68 per cent of the alarms were actually working.
Sleep scientist Chris Bunney said smoke alarms were essential household appliances that gave people an early warning and time to evacuate safely if a fire broke out – but only if they worked.
“When asleep, our sense of smell is greatly diminished … which is why people don’t wake up to the smell of a burning fire,” he said.
“We may not smell smoke but we will hear a smoke alarm. A working smoke alarm can literally mean the difference between life and death.”
The MFB recommends you test your smoke alarm regularly by pressing the test button with a broom handle; vacuum your smoke alarms monthly to clean the vents; replace the battery annually with a high quality, long-lasting 9V alkaline battery; and install smoke alarms in positions that will wake all occupants in the home and give them time to evacuate.
Visit the website www.changeyourbattery.com.au or your local fire service authority for more information on where to place smoke alarms in your home.
– Charlene Gatt
