Do not overload multi-boards with double adaptors.  Remember – one appliance per socket on any multi-board or wall socket.

Electric blankets

Worn and old electric blankets can cause electric shock, fire and possibly even death. Have your electric blanket tested annually by a qualified electrician and remember:

• Turn off the electric blanket power when you get into bed
• Do not place heavy objects on the bed while the electric blanket is turned on
• Ensure electric blanket controls are not twisted or caught between the mattress and base
• Make sure the electric blanket is tightly secured and laid flat on the bed
• When not in use, store your electric blanket rolled up, NOT folded
• Electric blankets are not recommended for use by babies or young children as “bed-wetting” may occur

Around the fire or heater

If a child is wearing high fire danger nightwear, they should stay far away from the fire or heater.  But even a ‘low danger’ label doesn’t mean there is no danger.  Nightwear that says ‘low fire danger’ can still catch fire if the child is too close to a heat source.

If there are young children in the house, parents should put safety guards around the heater or fire.  Parents should teach children the ‘metre from the heater’ rule and watch that children don’t sit or walk closer than a metre to any heaters or fires.

Firewise behaviours

Earlier this year, Greenhithe Primary School Year 1 and 2 pupils received a visit from firefighters Mike Fawcett, Pinakin Patel, Craig Worthington, Paul Hilton and Isabelle Lardeux-Gilloux as part of the Get Firewise programme.  They used a range of visual aids in the presentation, including props and a flip chart.  The presentation ended with students and their teachers completing an evacuation of the classroom crawling under a black smoke sheet.  This fire safety learning programme for children has been run at Greenhithe Primary School for the many years now and if you want to share with your kids what they’ve learned and refresh their memory, please go to http://firewise.fire.org.nz

Brigade news

On July 24^th, the Brigade held its annual Honours function to recognise the volunteer service of members.  Congratulations to the following members who received service honours:

• 3 year certificates for Craig Worthington, Pinakin Patel, Paul Lagataki and Mike Fawcett
• 5 year medals for Scott Rees, Brent Morman, John Coogan and Paul ‘Paris’ Hilton
• 9 year silver bar for Wayne Cheeseman
• 13 year silver bar for Phill Sadgrove
• And especially huge congratulations to Robert Richards who received his 33 year gold bar and became the longest serving member ever of the Greenhithe Volunteer Fire Brigade!!

 Concluding word…to succeed in life one must have the courage to pursue what he/she wants.

Firefighter Isabelle LARDEUX-GILLOUX