Fire Safety

Smoke Alarms

Home safety isn’t just about keeping our house and contents safe from intruders, it also means protecting them and ourselves from floods and fire.

In May 2006, it became law for all homes and buildings where people sleep to have smoke alarms.

Smoke alarms save lives. They are designed to detect the smoke from a fire before they reach the sleeping areas. They can be hard wired to the main electrical system or battery operated.

It is important to maintain your smoke alarm by:

• Testing your alarm every month.
• Replacing the batteries regularly, depending on the type of battery.
• Vacuuming the dust from your smoke alarm at least twice a year.
• Replacing your smoke alarm unit every 10 years.

Locked Doors and Windows

It is also important to make sure that in the case of a fire, all your doors and windows can be opened quickly so that you can get out. Keep intruders out by using the correct locks but keep keys close to you or in the back of the door so that you don’t get locked in.

The NSW Fire Brigades has information and fact sheets on home safety, smoke alarms and community projects. Go to New South Wales Fire Brigade or contact:

Merrylands Fire Station
340 Merrylands Rd
Merrylands NSW 2160
Phone: 9637 1211

Wentworthville Fire Station
Corner Garfield and Pritchard Streets
Wentworthville NSW 2145
Phone: 9631 0908