South Australia’s fire services ran up costs close to $7 million dealing with shed and garage fires in the 2021-2022 financial year, prompting the services to issue a warning to shed owners to take more care and be safer.
Firefighters from the State’s Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) and SA Country Fire Service (CFS) battled over 350 shed and garage fires during the past year leading to a collective damage bill of more than $19 million over the past three financial years.
Community Engagement Officer with MFS, Daniel Humeniuk said sheds and garages often contained a mixture of dangerous items that could lead to fires and he urged people to do some spring cleaning to avoid an emergency.
“Sheds and garages are often stocked with LPG cylinders, rechargeable batteries on charge, paint thinners, solvents, fuel, butane cans, and pool and cleaning chemicals,” Mr Humeniuk said.
“Sparks and electrical faults can easily ignite these items leading to a fire that can rapidly spread if other items are in close proximity,” he said.
“As the weather warms up, now is a good time to check your sheds and garages to ensure any flammable liquids are stored in suitable containers and are placed in a well-ventilated area, clear of electrical equipment and other potential heat and ignition sources.”
State Duty Commander with CFS, Ray Jackson said sheds were an important structure for people living in rural areas so it was important that the products and materials kept within the sheds be maintained.
“Farmers and people with large properties will often use their sheds as a storage space for vehicles and vital farming equipment,” Mr Jackson said.
“Therefore, if a fire does impact the structure, it can have a catastrophic effect on their livelihoods,” he said.
“We ask that all South Australians, particularly those in bushfire risk areas, take simple steps to clean up in and around their sheds to ensure that their assets are protected year-round.”
Both Mr Humeniuk and Mr Jackson said that a possibility of spontaneous combustion is greater if the surrounding air is warm and dry, conditions often seen in the South Australian Spring and Summer.
They reminded the public of safety tips for sheds and garages which included:
* Don’t refuel lawn mowers and other tools when they are hot, turned on or the engine is running;
* Refuelling lawn mowers, or using turpentine and other petroleum-based solvents, should only be in well-ventilated areas;
* Don’t overfill containers or tanks;
* Don’t leave re-chargeable batteries charging for extended periods of time;
* NEVER tamper with LPG or other gas cylinders.
More safety tips can be accessed on the MFS website at this PS News link.
