Protect what you value to reduce your fire risk

Tasmanians are urged to take action to reduce fire risks to their home and to stay safe this winter.

Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, Felix Ellis, attended Windermere Primary School today where some of the State’s youngest residents were learning what steps to take to ensure their safety in the case of a fire.

“Each year between May and September, the Tasmania Fire Service responds to an increased number of house fires,” Minister Ellis said.

“While the dangers of fire are very real, there is a lot you can do to protect yourself, your family and your home.

“Our home fire safety message is simple – protect what you value. That means protecting your family, pets, home and belongings, by following the Tasmania Fire Service’s fire safety advice.”

An advertising campaign raising awareness of home fire safety is being run across the State this winter.

The campaign advises people to have their chimneys cleaned every year, to keep anything flammable two metres from a heater, not to overheat wheat bags and to ensure every house has working smoke alarms installed in the recommended places.

Minister Ellis said making sure the youngest community members were informed about home fire safety is a priority for the Tasmania Fire Service.

“The School Fire Education Program is delivered to almost 20,000 students in more than 90 primary schools each year,” Minister Ellis said.

“The program is designed to teach children from Prep to Grade 6 about basic home fire safety and to empower them to make safer choices about fire risk.”

For more information and tips on how to keep your home and family safe, visit https://www.fire.tas.gov.au/.