House Fires and Smoke Alarms
Monash Council has implemented a fire management plan for our native bushland reserves across the municipality. Council regularly carries out fire clearance works in our bushland reserves.
You can also assist in fire safety by:- Clearing all ground fuel to create an easily defendable zone around the house
- Clearing all waste material from inner roof areas
- Checking your roof thoroughly for cracks and gaps and fix them permanently
- Making sure your gutters are clean and that you have a gutter plug allowing you to fill the gutters with water if necessary
- Sealing all vents and gaps in roof eaves with steel mesh
- Getting an emergency bush fire cover for any air conditioning units and skylights
- Mowing your lawn regularly during the summer months
What to Do
Visit – Metropolitan Fire Brigade www.mfb.gov.au
Call – 000 for the fire brigade
Smoke Alarms
House fires are life threatening, particularly at night when you are sleeping. Smoke from a fire will not normally wake you when you are asleep.
Statistics have proved that the installation and correct operation of a smoke alarm has saved many lives.
It is the owner's (landlord's) responsibility to install smoke alarms in rented premises.
For smoke alarms to be effective, it is important that they are adequately maintained and correctly located. The operation of most smoke alarms can be readily checked by depressing a button on the outside of the alarm.
The battery in most smoke alarms will need to be replaced on an annual basis.
What to Do and Who to Call
For further information contact Monash Council: Call – 9518 3476
Visit – Smoke Alarms
Visit – Metropolitan Fire Brigade www.mfb.gov.au
Updated: 12 October 2009
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