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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-03-05 Daily Xml
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SMOKE ALARMS

Mr RAU (Enfield) (15:05): My question is to the Minister for Emergency Services. What is the government doing to encourage South Australians to replace smoke alarms that are 10 or more years old?

The Hon. M.J. WRIGHT (Lee—Minister for Police, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (15:05): I thank the member for Enfield for his question. On Monday 23 February, in conjunction with our fire services, I had the pleasure of launching the Smoke Alarm Retirement Campaign. This initiative is another demonstration of South Australia's leadership in ensuring the safety of its community.

Domestic smoke alarms represent the single greatest improvement in the built environment in preventing fire fatalities. Australian and international studies have provided strong evidence that smoke alarms play a significant role in minimising and preventing fire risk within a community.

House fires, especially those that occur while we sleep, can be deadly. When we sleep our sense of smell switches off. Toxic fumes from the smoke generated by burning synthetic building and furnishing materials produce a deadly cocktail of poisonous fumes that are capable of overwhelming us in our sleeping state and cause death. It is in situations such as these that we are most vulnerable, and it is in situations like this that smoke alarms can save lives.

South Australia was one of the first states in Australia to mandate that it is compulsory to install smoke alarms in domestic residences. In 1995 South Australia and Victoria led the way nationally by introducing legislation to make smoke alarms compulsory in all newly built homes. As a result, there is a large number of smoke alarms in the community that are now around 10 to 13 years old, and with each passing year that number increases.

For a smoke alarm to perform its life-saving function, it is important that it is in good working order. I am advised that smoke alarms over the 10 year use-by-date may malfunction or their efficiency may be compromised because of accumulated dust, insects, airborne contaminants or corrosion of electrical circuitry.

Further, smoke alarm technology has improved significantly since legislation was introduced, and it is highly recommended that, when homeowners replace their old smoke alarms, they upgrade to better technology and better warning systems.

Our fire services recommend that smoke alarms are interconnected, so that when one alarm is activated within a home all alarms are activated. Working smoke alarms provide a home with 24 hours a day and seven days a week protection from the risk of fire. Working smoke alarms lower the risk of major property damage and, more importantly, save lives.

South Australia is the first state in Australia to actively campaign the replacement of smoke alarms once they pass their effective lifespan of 10 years. I urge all South Australians to check their smoke alarms, and, if they have passed their 10 year use-by date, to arrange to replace them immediately.

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