Risk of open vents
I noted your story - very moving and at least with good outcome for Drouin West resident Bob Sproul (Gaz 12/2).
He mentions rooftop evaporative coolers and I am somewhat surprised this issue is still not corrected as a standard in building codes for older homes.
I took extreme care preparing a house in north east Victoria in the summer of 2007.
During the fire period, I sealed underneath verandahs to protect from ember attack, under eaves, gutter guarded and filled gutters with water. All other flammable items removed from around home and outbuildings.
I was meticulous in placing towels against all horizontal window frames and beneath all doors. Filled baths sinks etc with water and then left the property . When I returned a week later I opened the door to a house filled with stale smoke and the walls covered in an oily brown tinge that took days to clean off.
Although the fire front stayed five kilometres away I also discovered pieces of ash on the carpet. I noticed in horror - a 2ft x2ft white plastic vent I leading to the rooftop evaporative cooler.
I had completely missed this in all the other preparation of what was still - our family home. We were lucky. Had we had been in that home with fire overhead if not the smoke - the fire would have engulfed the home. Cannot reiterate enough - if you cannot close a vent to these rooftop evaporative coolers, they potentially will take a life as if not from smoke inhalation but from the home burning down around you.
The above is a practical matter that the public should be warned about. Facing death,as Bob clearly did, losing one's dog in such circumstances is not something to be wished upon anyone.
After 13 years to see the effect of the open vent and what I thought was a secure home is still with me. M. Watson, Drouin
A double brick to the courier driver who for the second time did a U turn in front of me last Tuesday in Albert St. On both occasions if I hadn’t braked I would have been T boned by you. Don’t know why you smiled at me it is not funny.
A brick bat to whoever decided the speed limit on Neerim East Road in Neerim South should be reduced to 40 kms per hour 24 hours a day, every day. School times yes, as it used to be. All the time no. Traffic from the east side of town is going to bypass the main street now, which is going to reduce business for local shops.
Bricks to the Drouin Ficifolia organisers for not stopping traffic travelling west through Drouin’s main street while the parade was on, especially at the roundabouts. Lucky there were no accidents.
A huge brick bat to the people who authorised the trimming of the tall trees in front of Neerim Hospital. What a mess, these trees are trimmed to look ugly and are becoming more dangerous as all the weight is hanging over the road. As a result of being trimmed off the side where the strong wind comes from, this is an accident waiting to happen.
All submissions must include a full name and address and daytime contact number, however, contributors will not be identified in print. Please send your submissions to editorial@warragulgazette.com.au or use our website www.thegazette.com.au or our mobile phone: 0458 923 429.