Fire brigade offers home visits
Smoke alarms and escape plans are easily forgotten about but when worse comes to worse, they could be the difference between life and death.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) assistant area commander for Taupo¯, Richard Anastasi, said smoke alarms and escape plans saves lives and that’s why people need to know the local fire brigade do Home Fire Safety visits.
‘‘House fires can be avoided by having the local fire brigade come and give a free Home Fire Safety visit,’’ he said.
While the local brigade does hundreds of home visits a year, Anastasi said it is amazing how many people still don’t know the services they can offer, especially people who are new to the area.
The Home Safety Visits give advice on smoke alarms and where to put them, developing escape plans, safety around the kitchen as that is the primary location of where a fire occurs, cleaning chimneys and disposing of ash correctly.
‘‘It’s amazing how many fires are started by people not realising the ash they’ve emptied out is still burning,’’ he said.
The visit take 15 minutes and is free.
‘‘It gives people everything they need to know about fire safety.’’
To arrange a visit, call 0800 NZFIRE (0800 693473)
FALSE ALARMS
Anastasi, said FENZ commits a lot of resources to attending false alarms and working with building owners to ensure their alarms are regularly maintained.
‘‘False alarms can also cost businesses in loss of productivity because each alarm has to be thoroughly investigated before it is given the all clear,’’ he said.
‘‘These alarms also commit valuable FENZ resources that would not be available to respond to genuine emergencies.’’
CALLOUTS
The Taupo¯ area has been keeping the local brigade busy over the summer period. From January 14-18 they attended nine call outs two of which were false alarms.
Motor vehicle accident and outside rubbish bin, skip fire on Motutaiko Street.
Assisted Taupo¯ Police on Hinemoa Street, two false alarm calls on Centennial Drive. Medical call, Oregon Drive, Rainbow Point. Motor vehicle accident and assisted the general public on Ferry Road.