Preventable fires caused half a million dollars in damages in the district last year.
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Newly released data shows in 2017 there were 61 fires in the CFA’s District 02, an area encompassing Bendigo and other parts of central Victoria
In total, those fires caused $509,550. Overall, the number of preventable residential fires was 30 per cent lower than last year in District 02, which was the fourth lowest dollar amount of damage in the state.
More than a third started in the kitchen, while 21 per cent started in the lounge area.
Across Victoria, the number of fires starting in the kitchen was down 8% from 2016. However, they still represent 37% of incidents. Cooking related fires were down 12%. Fires starting at stoves, ovens and cooktops led to 274 incidents.
Electrical fires were the largest cause of property loss causing an estimated $9.8 million in damage.
District 02 Operations Manager Bill Johnstone said working smoke alarms were important, noting that despite preventable house fires there were no deaths as a result of preventable fires in 2017.
“Our message is clear. Check your smoke alarm’s battery and if your smoke alarm is aged 10 years or more the whole unit should be changed.”
Acting Chief Officer Garry Cook said education was often an overlooked, but arguably the most important, aspect of what CFA does.
“The best way to stop a fire is to teach a person how to be safe in the home and stop a fire before it even begins. This includes reaching out to our multicultural communities, making sure regardless of whether you speak English or not you are safe around fires.”
“Whether we are educating people about not drying clothes too close to the heater, never leaving cooking unattended, or keeping lighters away from children, it is all part of our ultimate goal of protecting life and property.”
“A 2.9% drop in incidents in a calendar year is a solid result, given the population growth rate that has been concentrated in CFA’s service area.”
Mr Johnstone said public education and preparation was vital.
“In District 02, we undertake activities such as education programs and home fire safety instructions on a daily basis,” he said.
