Fire and Rescue Victoria (FRV) is calling for Victorians to install interconnected smoke alarms in every bedroom, hallway and living area in their homes.
The call follows a recent narrow escape for a family of five from a house fire in Melbourne’s Wandin North.
FRV said the family’s smoke alarms met legal requirements however, as they weren’t interconnected the family wasn’t alerted to the fire which started in a downstairs storage area until smoke reached the upstairs sleeping areas of their house.
Commissioner of FRV, Ken Block said data from Country Fire Authority (CFA) and FRV revealed most fatal house fires started in living and sleeping areas, but a concerning number of Victorians still didn’t have working smoke alarms in those locations.
“Within just 60 seconds, a fire can quickly take hold, giving off toxic smoke and spreading rapidly,” Commissioner Block said.
“Interconnected smoke alarms in all bedrooms, hallways and living areas are your best line of defence, alerting you promptly and buying you and your family precious time to escape,” he said.
Chief Officer of CFA, Jason Heffernan said the incident was a timely reminder for Victorians to install interconnected smoke alarms so that when one alarm was activated, all alarms would sound.
“Interconnected smoke alarms should be installed in every bedroom, hallway and living area for your family’s best protection,” CO Heffernan said.
Further information on smoke alarms can be accessed on FRV’s website at this PS News link.
