Firefighters conduct safety blitz of retirement village to protect seniors | Camden

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Firefighters conduct safety blitz of retirement village to protect seniors - Camden

Published: 31 Oct 2024 11:09am

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews from Camden, in Sydney's south-west, visited the Camden Downs retirement village this week to share life-saving fire advice to protect our seniors.

This year to date, 19 people have died in residential fires in NSW. Six of them were aged over 65.

Of the 126 people killed in residential fires across the state since 2020, at least 38 or 30 per cent were aged over 65, prompting FRNSW to step up efforts to protect those among our most vulnerable.

Pro-active visits to retirement villages and other seniors' communities form part of FRNSW's "Senior Fire Ed" program, educating residents about protecting themselves and their families from the dangers of fire.

Camden Fire Station Captain, Joel Kursawe, said local firefighters discussed potential hazards, emergency responses, fire safety equipment, and personalised fire safety and fire escape plans with village residents and staff during their presentations.

"Advising our seniors about fire safety in their homes is a crucial part of Fire and Rescue NSW's Community Engagement program," Captain Kursawe said.

"This is a great way for us to reach and engage with older people and educate them about fire risks around their home.

"Following the information session, our firefighters visited residents' homes to identify potential fire hazards and provide them with a fire escape plan and safety tips.

"We're here today to try to reach as many older people as possible, however we encourage anyone with older relatives or friends to book a safety visit with their local fire station."

When it comes to home fire safety, FRNSW recommends:

• Ensuring your home is fitted with working smoke alarms
• Rolling up electric blankets instead of folding them
• Keeping materials at least a metre from the heater
• Householders keep 'looking whilst cooking' to prevent fires that result from distractions
• Investing in a fire blanket and storing it near the kitchen
• Smothering kitchen flames with a fire blanket, instead of putting water on it
• Keeping a fire extinguisher available nearby

Any resident, not just seniors, can book a home fire safety visit through the FRNSW website: https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/visits [external link]

A crew will visit your home with advice and install a smoke alarm, free of charge, if necessary.

Specialist smoke alarms to assist the deaf or hard of hearing are also available for installation.

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