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CENTRAL Victoria residents are showing their support for firefighters by displaying red balloons out the front of their homes.
National Red Balloon Day - February 28 - is dedicated to recognising the efforts of fire crews, both volunteer and professional, across the country.
Kangaroo Flat resident Joan Kilby said firefighters deserved recognition and National Red Balloon Day should be celebrated every year.
"I think the idea is wonderful," she said.
"The firies do a fantastic job and deserve to be recognised.
"They put their lives at risk for us and certainly deserve a day of thanks."
Donna Taylor, who lives in Golden Square, said she was proud to display balloons around her home.
Ms Taylor said her son was a volunteer firefighter with Golden Square Brigade and had been deployed in Gisborne a few weeks ago.
"It is fantastic because the volunteers don't get any recognition for all the hard work they do," she said.
"People don't realise they work in life threatening situations and it can be scary.
"When my son is deployed I get very worried hoping he is going to be okay."
Damien Conquit displayed balloons outside his home in Kangaroo Flat and said it was a small token of thanks for the big efforts of firefighters.
"They should have it every year," he said.
"It is important to recognise the efforts of the firies."
Redesdale resident Carolyn Boyd collected 30 balloons to decorate the town.
Mrs Boyd volunteers as communications officer for the Redesdale fire brigade and said the past few months had been the most extreme fire risk she had seen.
"We've never ever had anything like it," she said.
"It's only this year that you realise how close we came. There potentially could have been homes and lives lost."
Mrs Boyd said the balloon idea was a welcome gesture.
"I know in this town they need recognition," she said.
"There's been so many selfless volunteers.
"People working night shifts and at all hours.
"They're putting their lives at risk."
Kangaroo Flat Primary School, Victoria Heights Residential Care, Mazda, Advent Care, Golden Square Newsagency and Golden Square Fire Station also got involved in National Red Balloon Day.
ARE you displaying red balloons out the front of your house, school, business or group headquarters for National Red Balloon Day?
Email photos to madeleine.wines@fairfaxmedia.com.au and we will put them in a gallery online.