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4. ‘Be safe, not sorry’ this winter - Orchard Hills

‘Be safe, not sorry’ this winter - Orchard Hills

Published: 27 May 2022 10:07am

The mother of a Sydney boy, who was badly burnt as a toddler, has joined Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) to warn others about fire danger this winter.
 
Cayden Blake was 12 months old in June 2019 when he walked into an open fireplace, captivated by the flames. The youngster suffered serious burns to his hands, arms and face.
 
He spent three months recovering in and out of the Burns Unit of The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
 
Cayden now dreams of becoming a firefighter to protect others and today was presented with his own junior FRNSW uniform by the Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke and FRNSW Commissioner Paul Baxter.
 
As FRNSW and the NSW Rural Fire Service launch their annual Winter Fire Safety campaign, Cayden’s mother, Tiffany Rapley-Adams, joined the Minister and senior fire officers to urge the public to listen to the crucial safety advice.
 
Ms Rapley-Adams said she doesn’t want other parents to go through the pain of seeing their children harmed by fire.
 
“Cayden, as a toddler, was curious about the “pretty” flames and it only took a second for him to walk into the fireplace,” Ms Rapley-Adams said.
 
“Please child-proof your fireplaces and if you haven’t already done so, educate your kids about the dangers of fire.”
 
Ms Cooke said little Cayden is an inspiration, with his determination to protect others through his own experience.
 
“It was wonderful to be able to help Cayden with his dream of becoming a firefighter by giving him his very own uniform today,” Ms Cooke said.
 
Commissioner Baxter said the theme for this year’s Winter Fire Safety campaign is “Be safe, not sorry.”
 
“Please ensure you have a home fire escape plan so your children know what to do if a fire breaks out,” Commissioner Baxter said.
 
“It’s also important to fireproof your home as much as possible by having working smoke alarms.”
 
NSW Rural Fire Service Assistant Commissioner Ben Millington said there are steps residents can take to prevent a fire from breaking out in their home.
 
“It can be as simple as keeping flammable objects a ‘metre from the heater,’ not leaving cooking unattended and not using outdoor heating or cooking equipment inside,” Assistant Commissioner Millington said.
 
Also present at the launch was Australian-New Zealand Burns Association representative and former Director of the Burns Unit at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Dr John Harvey.
 
“It’s heart-breaking to watch little children like Cayden in hospital, trying to cope with the horrific pain burns can inflict,” Dr Harvey said.
 
“As adults, we can protect our young ones by being extra vigilant around fire.”
 
For information on how to safeguard your home, call FRNSW to discuss booking a Safety Visit.
 
Fire crews will come to your home, ensure smoke detectors are in working order and advise on how to best protect your loved ones.
 
FRNSW advises the public to:
·      Check and maintain smoke alarms;
·      Keep any drying clothes or anything flammable at least a metre from the heater;
·      Clean and maintain any fireplaces;
·      Do not use outdoor heating or cooking equipment inside your home;
·      Check electric blankets are safe for use and never go to bed or leave home with your electric blanket on;
·      Do not overheat wheat bags in the microwave;
·      Do not overload power boards;
·      Clean the lint filter from your clothes dryer after each use;
·      Never leave cooking unattended;
·      Always use candles under adult supervision and do not leave them unattended;
·      Ensure you have a ‘home fire escape plan” and practice it regularly with your family; and
·      If a fire does occur, get out, stay out and call Triple Zero (000).
 
This winter, keep you and your loved ones safe by using the Get Ready for Winter checklist.
 
FRNSW has attended 1,226 home fires since the beginning of 2022.
 
There were 3,502 home fires in 2021.
 
Last winter there were 953 residential fires, including:
 
·      359 kitchen fires (accounting for 38% of winter fires)
·      98 bedroom fires (accounting for 10% of all winter fires)
·      81 chimney/fireplace emergencies (accounting for 8% of all winter fires); and
·      69 loungeroom fires (accounting for 7% of all winter fires)
 
Media can obtain video of Cayden’s recovery here:
https://vimeo.com/708870089/32cf5824c4 [external link]
 
And still images here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1vLtG4Q1-SSPaVi1wgYWTX1CmuLeA7Toh?usp=sh [external link] 

Updated: 30 Jan 2023 09:14pm

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