FIRE SAFETY

The Hon. P.L. WHITE (Taylor) (14:44): My question is to the Minister for Emergency Services. How can South Australians be fire safe this winter?

The Hon. M.J. WRIGHT (Lee—Minister for Police, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:44): As we settle into the cooler months and the threat of bushfire decreases, it is easy to become complacent about fire safety. In the colder months our fire services tend to see an increase of house fires, property loss, injuries and even, on occasions, tragically, deaths. I am advised that on average there are more deaths, injuries and property losses from house fires in South Australia each year than there are from bushfires.

All South Australians should have a home fire escape plan in the event of a house fire. Everyone should know how to get out of the house and where to meet. Your home fire escape plan should be practised regularly with your family. Other common-sense actions can play a big role in keeping your home fire safe this winter. A few of these include:

ensuring that heating equipment is installed and maintained by an appropriately licensed and qualified tradesperson;

having flues and chimneys properly cleaned once a year to prevent a build-up of flammable material;

choosing portable electric heaters with automatic safety switches that turn the heater off if it is tipped over; and

keeping heaters well clear of any items that might burn.

These are just a few things that householders should be aware of, and, if in doubt on any fire safety issue, I would encourage individuals to contact the Metropolitan Fire Service Community Education Department for expert advice. I encourage everyone to be fire safe this winter.