Fire and Emergency New Zealand will soon visit homes at Mabel Howard Courts.
A unit at Mabel Howard Courts was extensively damaged by fire and smoke in October.
Fire crew will arrive in fire trucks on Friday afternoon. They’ll visit each home to offer free Home Fire Safety Visits.
They’ll ensure smoke alarms are working and are in the right place, and they’ll provide home fire safety advice.
They’ll describe the 111 call process and they’ll give advice on how to create a personal fire escape plan.
FENZ crew and fire engines were at Mabel Howard Courts in the wake of a fire in a unit in late October.
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The fire caused extensive damage was smoldering when fire crew arrived.
It was one of 20 fires at ŌCHT homes in the last 12 months.
FENZ spokesman Jonathan Ditmer says smoke alarm education will be an important part of the visit.
People will be urged to call 111 as-soon-as they hear a smoke alarm sounding.
They’ll also be urged to test their smoke alarms every 6 months. Day light savings provides a good reminder.
There’ll be other messages, too.
People will be reminded to never leave cooking unattended, and to turn the stove off when leaving the room for even a minute.
Drinking while cooking is dangerous, especially when frying.
More than half of the fires at ŌCHT homes over the past 12 months were related to cooking.
The FENZ personnel will also encourage people to develop an escape plan.
Jonathan says it’s important everyone in a home knows how to get out quickly in an emergency.
The visit happens between 2pm and 4pm Friday, November 26.
FENZ will talk about calling 111, smoke alarms and having a fire escape plan when they visit Mabel Howard Courts on Friday, November 26.
Published November 22, 2021