MARIBYRNONG residents are being warned to check their heaters and electrical appliances as winter approaches.
A spate of house fires across Victoria, including in Fitzroy, St Kilda and Gisborne, has prompted the warning. The Gisborne fire is believed to have started in the laundry. Two adults and two teenagers escaped form the burning, two-storey Bruce Court house, which was destroyed.
MFB assistant chief fire officer Rob Taylor said simple precautions could prevent house fires. “As the cooler weather sets in, people tend to turn on their heaters or electric blankets and they might not have been used for six months or so. That’s when heaters, especially older models, can cause fires,” he said.
“If you are in any doubt about your heating appliance, replace it or get it checked by a professional and keep your heaters a safe distance from clothes, linen and other combustibles around the home.”
Mr Taylor asked residents to ensure all heaters, including central heaters, were properly maintained. They should change batteries in smoke alarms, not dry clothes on heaters, especially electric bar heaters, and be aware that overloaded powerboards pose a fire hazard.
Details: homefiresafety.com.au
