CFA: Education key to fire prevention

THE number of preventable house fires in Geelong and the Surf Coast soared 13 per cent last year, according to new figures.

More than $3.8 million worth of property damage was caused as 127 houses went up in flames in District 7, which also takes in Lorne, Barwon Heads, Winchelsea and Anakie.

One person — a 26-yearold disabled woman — died when a fire tore through a home in Armstrong Creek on Boxing Day.

The data from the CFA shows cooking and electrical fires continued to be the main cause of the blazes, with most fires starting in the kitchen.

In total, 34 fires started from cooking, 30 were electrical-related and 20 were linked to heating.

District 7 operations manager Mick McGuinness said the figures showed how the CFA’s services were changing.

“Yes, we fight bushfires, but we do so much more, including in urban settings such as Geelong,” he said.

“The priority for CFA is prevention. In the main, this is achieved through education programs and home fire safety instructions provided through information campaigns and direct one-to-one conversations with our communities.”

Mr McGuiness said a working smoke alarm could be the difference between life and death.

“This is clearly demonstrated through the fact that despite more than 100 preventable house fires in our district, property loss was far greater than the loss of life,” he said.

“Our message is clear. Check your smoke alarm’s battery and if your smoke alarm is aged 10 years or more the whole unit should be changed.”

Across the state, more than one-third of preventable house fires last year started in the kitchen.

Electrical fires were the main cause of property loss, leaving behind an estimated damage bill of $9.8 million.

Acting chief officer Garry Cook said education was the most important tool for the CFA.

“The best way to stop a fire is to teach a person how to be safe in the home and stop a fire before it even begins,” he said.

“Whether we are educating people about not drying clothes too close to the heater, never leaving cooking unattended, or keeping lighters away from children, it is all part of our ultimate goal of protecting life and property.”

“The best way to stop a fire is to teach a person how to be safe in the home and stop a fire before it even begins,” CFA ACTING CHIEF OFFICER GARRY COOK