Clear the clutter to slash your home fire risk
10th September 2009Ministerial media release
Emergency Services Minister Steve Whan today cautioned families across NSW that a build-up of unnecessary clutter around the home posed a serious fire threat.
Mr Whan said a thorough spring clean now to clear away accumulated rubbish, garden refuse and hazardous materials such as out-of-date household, garden or pool chemicals would help minimise your home fire risk.
"With spring here, people should use the momentum of a 'spring clean' to prepare for the warmer months, especially with the bushfire season upon us," he said.
"Take the time this weekend to look around your house, garden, garage and any storage areas and clear out rubbish such as piles of old newspapers, cardboard boxes, unused furniture, firewood or discarded children's toys.
"You should also clean cooking appliances to remove built-up grease; prune shrubs and trees; remove leaves from gutters; check your power points and boards are not overloaded or damaged; and ensure your smoke alarms are working.
"You should particularly make sure that nothing is blocking any exits or the escape points you have included in your home escape plan."
NSW Fire Brigades Director Community Safety and Assistant Commissioner Jim Smith said there had been tragic cases in which people had not been able to escape a home fire because of clutter or firefighters had difficulty locating victims.
"Clutter is highly flammable and it's often left in hallways, exits and other passages and thoroughfares in the home," Assistant Commissioner Smith said.
"This makes it harder for people to escape in a fire and it also makes it more difficult for firefighters to get into a home and search for victims and extinguish the blaze.
"No matter how well you know your house, the smoke from a fire will make you disoriented and it is just too difficult to navigate your way over or around or through clutter."
Mr Whan said taking a few hours to clean up around the house was smart fire prevention that could save your family and your home.
Clear the clutter to slash your home fire risk (PDF 26KB)