September 18th, 2023Brigade smoke alarm drive

An ageing population has driven a local CFA brigade to install smoke alarms into more than 50 homes this month in an effort to keep the community safe.

CFA’s Yallourn North Fire Brigade identified a high number of homes with no smoke alarms or alarms that weren’t placed in the most effective areas of the house, such as bedrooms.

To address this safety issue, the brigade is running a two-day campaign on September 9 and 16 to install free 10-year lithium smoke alarms in homes locally. This is part of CFA’s Smoke Alarm Installation Program which is a vital initiative aimed at enhancing residential fire safety.

Yallourn North Brigade Captain Hayley King said the local area is made up properties with an average age of 60-80 years old and they might not be aware of the risk associated with not having a working smoke alarm.

“In previous years the brigade has organised a 9V battery giveaway, but this is the first time the brigade is actively installing smoke alarms,” Hayley said.

“The high number of uptake locally is due to the fact many residents were previously unaware of the associated fire risks and the added protection that smoke alarms in sleeping areas can provide.

“This initiative is specifically aimed at residents who are unable to install, test, or maintain their own alarms.”

Yallourn North has around 600 houses in total and the program and installations are completely volunteer driven.

More than 50 houses have signed up for the free smoke alarm installation so far and the brigade welcome more registrations for the 16 September.