Smoke alarm saves 96-year-old woman from heater fire - Blacktown
Published: 01 Jun 2022 07:32am
A 96-year-old woman has escaped a heater fire in her Blacktown home thanks to a working smoke alarm.
The fire broke out in the single-level Oregon Street home just after 7am on Monday (30 May).
Four Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) trucks arrived at the home and found the elderly woman waiting outside as smoke issued from the property.
Firefighters, wearing breathing apparatus, entered the house and extinguished a burning heater, placed about a metre from the woman’s bed.
It had melted as a result of the intense heat.
FRNSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry said the smoke alarm roused the sleeping resident, preventing what could have been a tragedy.
“Smoke alarms are often the difference between life and death. In this case, the elderly resident was woken by the alarm and had enough time to escape out the front door,” Superintendent Dewberry said.
“Remember to check your heater before you use it this winter…does it need cleaning, a service or possible replacing?
“Always keep objects ‘a metre from the heater’ to reduce the risk of fire breaking out.” he said.
FRNSW today kicked off its Winter Fire Safety Campaign, entitled “Be Safe, Not Sorry.”
There have been more than 1,200 residential blazes across NSW already this year, and winter is the busiest time of year for such fires.
Contact your local fire station to inquire about booking a home visit to ensure your smoke alarms are working effectively and are properly installed.
FRNSW also advises the public to:
· 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 where possible;
· 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.
Updated: 30 Jan 2023 09:14pm
Related safety topics
The leading cause of home fires in NSW is leaving cooking unattended.
It“s the law to have at least one working smoke alarm installed on every level of your home.
Having a home escape plan and a working smoke alarm increases your chances of getting out safely.
Learn how to prevent fires from heaters and open fires.
Details about this incident may change and should not be used as emergency information and/or advice.
For all life threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000)
For flood information, warnings or requests for non-life threatening assistance, call the SES on 132 500 or visit the NSW State Emergency Service website here. [external link].
For information directly relating to bushfires please call the Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737 or visit the NSW Rural Fire Service Website here. [external link]
Stations nearby
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