03/05/2020
An important message about Fire Place and Wood Fired Heater Safety in your home.
Many people in our community use fireplaces or wood heaters/stoves for their primary heating source. Unfortunately many are unaware of the fire risks associated with this type heating.
All home heating systems require regular maintenance to function safely and efficiently. Our Brigade encourages residents to adopt relevant fire safety steps to keep those home fires safely burning.
We urge everyone to keep Fireplaces and Wood Heater/Stoves clean.
This can be easily achieved by actively utilising the following advice.
• Inspect and Clean your chimney annually.
• Clear the area around the hearth of debris, decorations and flammable materials.
• Always use a metal mesh screen with open fire-places.
• Use fire resistant materials on walls around your fireplace and wood stoves.
Safely burn fuels
• Never use flammable liquids to start a fire.
• Use only seasoned (old and dry) hardwood. Soft, moist wood accelerates creosote build-up.
• Never burn cardboard boxes or rubbish in your heater or fireplace.
• When building a fire, place logs at the rear of the firebox to reduce risk of rolling out.
• Never leave a fire in an open fireplace unattended.
Extinguish the fire before going to bed or leaving the house.
Safely dispose of Ash-pan debris.
• When emptying the fire box, place ashes in a strong metal container, take outside and fill the container with water to completely extinguish the embers.
• Never throw ash under trees or into grassy areas. Embers can easily become a fire, with just a little bit of wind and dry fuel, like grass and leaves.
Beechmont Rural Fire Brigade Contacts
FIRE WARDEN - Wayne 55333623 or 0428 333 874
1st Officer - Mark 0477 220 075
Chairperson - Phil 0407 157 677
Secretary - Suzanne 0407 764 778
More Information: - https://www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au/BushFire_Safety
