Keep Safe This Winter

Fire and Emergency New Zealand - Lower Hutt

Daylight saving has ended, the first southerly storm for the winter is here, and for many of us, its time to get the fire going or the electric heater out. But just like summer, winter brings its own unique set of fire dangers.
Please take some time to think about our fire safety tips while you work on keeping your family safe and warm.
• If you’re using electricity to heat your home, don’t overload power points – use multi-boxes instead.
• Check that any heater is free of dust and in safe working order. If you’re using a portable gas heater, it should be serviced every 12 months – now is a good time.
• If your gas heater doesn’t light straight away, turn it off and try again. Don’t let the gas build up before trying to relight it.
• Never cover any heating appliance.
• Clean chimneys and flue before your first fire of the winter (There are a couple of recommendations for chimney sweeps here on Neighbourly).
• Don’t throw rubbish into the fireplace – particularly batteries and aerosol cans.
• Ashes can take up to five days to cool – always empty fireplace or woodburner ashes into a metal bin and pour water over them before you dispose of them.

Remember the heater-metre rule – always keep furniture, curtains, clothes and children at least one metre away from heaters and fireplaces.

Keep warm and stay safe, and if you need to know more about winter fire safety, contact your nearest Fire Station