Fatal house fires lately on the North Shore are a growing concern.  Though these incidents are still under Police and Fire investigation, some key reminders come to mind:

Multi-boxes
- Never overload multi-boxes
- Limiting the number of times you insert and remove the plugs reduces wear and tear on the box
- Never exceed the maximum capabilities of a multi-boxes
- High-powered appliances like kettles and washing machines should have a single plug – remember: One Plug One Socket
- Smaller appliances like televisions, DVD and video players, computers and small lamps are safe to use in multi-plugs but larger appliances like heaters or vacuum cleaners are not
- While most new multi-plugs have circuit breakers that activate if there is a fault or a power surge, a surge protection appliance is more effective

Heat Pumps
- Unplug electrical appliances when not in use and before you go to bed
- Check for faults or damage to any electrical leads or cables and replace as necessary
 
A homemade heat pump system is under investigation after a ceiling caught fire in Glenfield this month.

Smoke Alarms
- ALWAYS have working smoke alarms
- Most fire fatalities occur in homes, mainly while people are sleeping when they can’t smell smoke
- Smoke alarms are the best possible defence you and your family have from dying in a fire

In 2009 in over 80% of the 3,700 house fires the New Zealand Fire Service attended, smoke alarms were either not installed or not working.

Cooking unattended
- Don't leave cooking unattended – carelessness kills
- If you have to leave the kitchen, take pans off the heat
- Take extra care when cooking with hot oil – it sets alight easily
- Keep your cooker clean. A build-up of fat and grease can ignite and start a fire
- Don't cook after drinking alcohol or when you are tired
- Be careful if you fancy chips in the middle of the night - a third of all deep frying injuries occur between 10pm and 4am!
- Take care if you wear loose clothing when cooking; it can easily catch fire

A person was hospitalised recently in Birkenhead in what was initially a medical call, but when ambulance staff arrived they noticed a pot boiling on the stove and called the Fire Service.  The victim was "very lucky" only suffering smoke inhalation.  25% of house fires start in the kitchen, so keep looking while you’re cooking!!

We would like to remind people to be firewise as any death by fire is a tragedy that often could have been prevented.

In brigade news this month…we would like to welcome Poppy Olive Wallis into the Brigade family, a second healthy, happy baby for Nicky and Gareth…congratulations!! 

Firefighter Isabelle LARDEUX-GILLOUX