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• Spring Clean To Improve Fire Safety in the Home
• Crime Prevention in the Home - Help Stop Break-Ins

Spring Clean To Improve Fire Safety in the Home

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Householders are encouraged to 'spring clean' and reduce the risk of fire in the home - NSWFB figures show almost 25% of last year's house fires occurred between Sept -November.

"With spring here, people should use the momentum of a 'spring clean' to prepare homes for the warmer months and clear out any rubbish, piles of old newspapers, cardboard boxes and unused furniture and ensure that nothing is blocking the exit and escape points in the home.

"We know that 50 per cent of residential fires start in the kitchen, so it's essential to clean your cooking appliances and remove built up grease from range hood filters as part of any spring clean."

Commissioner Mullins said by following a few fire safety precautions and having a working smoke alarm and home escape plan, households will be better protected from fire.

"In particular, household chemicals, such as pesticides, pool chemicals, and caustic cleaning agents can accelerate the spread of a fire and produce a lot of toxic smoke.

"Make sure garden and household chemicals are locked well away from children and check the manufacturer's instructions on the containers regarding storage and use of these chemicals."

Pruning back branches on shrubs and trees in your garden is a good way to minimise the fuel load for a potential fire and clean the outside of your house by removing leaves from gutters, roofs and downpipes and fit quality metal leaf guards.

A good spring clean should also include checking power points and power boards to make sure they're not overloaded and inspecting electrical cords and equipment for damage.

"We would ask households to take the time to spring clean their smoke alarms by using a vacuum cleaner to remove any dust particles, which can hinder the smoke alarms' performance in a fire situation.

"It's a sad fact that losing property, possessions or worse in a fire is often preventable and with a good spring clean, people stand a better chance of protecting their homes and families from fire."

Crime Prevention in the Home - Help Stop Break-Ins

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You may be aware that recently there has been a spate of home invasions in the area. In order to protect ourselves and our property, the Crime Prevention Officer Tim Fellows at Castle Hill Police Station has provided the following tips.

• Display Street Number
  • Assists emergency services to locate your home
• Perimeter Fences
  • Ensure in good order, with closed, locked gates to restrict unauthorised access to your property
• Trees & Shrubs
  • Trim trees & shrubs around doors and windows to avoid provided concealment to intruders and to increase visibility to and from the street
• Security Lights
  • Install security lights around the perimeter of your home to provide more effective illumination at night
• Power Board
  • House the power board to your home within a metal cabinet secured with an electricity authority lock to restrict tampering
• Doors
  • All perimeter doors should be of solid construction & fitted with quality dead lock sets to restrict unauthorised access to your home
• Windows
  • All perimeter windows should be secured with key operated locaks to restrict unauthorised access
• Glass
  • Glass within doors and windows should be reinforced by either adhering a shatter resistant film, replacing with laminated glass or having quality metal security grilles or shutters fitted to restrict unauthorised access
• Valuables
  • To assist in easy identification should they be reported lost or stolen, you should:
    • Record descriptions, models, and serial numbers of all your valuables
    • Engrave your driver's licence number prefixed by the initials NSW on all items of value
    • Photograph jewellery and other collectables
• Alarm
  • Consider installing a monitored intruder alarm system
  • Obtain at least 3 quotes from licensed security companies
• Garages
  • Garages should be locked to restrict access
  • Roller tilt and panel lift doors can be secured with additional lock sets in the form of hasp and staple or padlocks
• Sheds
  • Garden sheds should be securely anchored to the ground to prevent lifting and fitted with a suitable lock set
• Equipment
  • Garden tools, equipment and ladders should be securely locked away when not in use to prevent them being used to gain access to your home.
• Dogs
  • Dogs can be a deterrent to thieves

Useful numbers & Resources

• Police Fire and Ambulance - Emergency only - 000
• Crimestoppers - report crime anonymously, rewards can be offered - 1800 333 000
• Police Assistance Line - For non emergencies - 131 444
• Castle Hill Police Station, Castle Street - Ph: 02 9680 5399
• Quakers Hills Police Station, Pearce Street - Ph: 02 9678 8999
• Blacktown Police Station, 9, Kildare Road - Ph: 02 9671 9199
• NSW Police website: www.police.nsw.gov.au

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