Fire safety check from Kempsey Fire and Rescue pivotal in helping save a Kempsey dwelling from significant damage

After referral from Omnicare in February, members of 345 Kempsey Fire and Rescue conducted a fire safety visit at a particular address.

No working smoke alarms were found at the premises - so firefighters fitted three, one on the lower level laundry and two on the top storey.

KFR Captain Tony Hackenberg said smoke alarms on both floors are common practice for a multi-level dwelling.

"The fire safety program has been going for a few years now, it stemmed off our smoke alarm visits and extended to home fire safety visits," Capt Hackenberg told the Macleay Argus.

"These visits are just about fitting smoke alarms, they see us talk to people about fire safety in their houses."

Fast forward to last week and the crew from 345 Kempsey attended a house fire at that very location as a result of a clothes dryer catching alight.

All residents were safely evacuated due to the early warning (the under-house smoke alarm), and the crew from 345 quickly extinguished the fire.

"The lower level smoke alarm was the first activated by the presence of smoke when the fire started," Capt Hackenberg said.

"All three (alarms) activated, so when we arrived at the scene the first noise I heard was all smoke alarms which is a good thing for us because we know they're working and residents have been alerted.

"Had they not been in place we would've had a whole different scenario."

Capt Hackenberg said it's important to ensure all household appliances are not a safety hazard.

"We have to make sure all our electrical appliances are in working order and checked by an electrician," he explained.

"Dryers in particular, make sure they're not overloaded and that the filters are cleaned regularly.

"Overloaded powerpoints, dryers not cleaned properly, tea towels over oven doors, and one metre from the heater rule, are other concepts to consider."

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