Be fire safe – not complacent

“Last year, state-wide, 49 per cent of houses damaged by fire did not have a smoke alarm,” Captain Youings said.

“The last couple of years around Corowa have been good but before that there were a heap of fires with no smoke alarms in those houses.”

Every home should have a smoke alarm according to the captain who said: “Fire brigade members give free checks of smoke alarm batteries, especially to the elderly who can’t get up ladders to check them.”

With increased use of heaters, electric blankets, wheat bags and clothes on clotheshorses near heaters, everyone must exercise care.

“People should not overheat wheat bags in microwaves, or have clothes too close to heaters,” Captain Youings said. “Clothes should be at least a metre away from heaters.

“Some people have barbecues inside their house – that restricts air and can have disastrous effects.”

Residents requiring a check of their smoke alarm battery can call Corowa Fire Station on (02) 6033 1344.