Residents have been urged to change their smoke alarm batteries after only 61 per cent of structure fires attended by Dubbo firefighters in the last 12 months had a working alarm.
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A person was twice as likely to die in a home fire without a working smoke alarm, Dubbo firefighter Chris Cusack said.
He said Fire and Rescue NSW recommended photoelectric smoke alarms rather than older, ionisation alarms.
“Without a smoke alarm you’re really limiting your chances of survival,” he said.
“The new ones will give you an earlier warning, they’re more reliable and they’ve got a 10 year battery.”
On Friday firefighters were on hand to install smoke alarms at the Dubbo Arts and Crafts Society. Public officer Ann Crannis said it was a great relief.
“Particularly as most of our members are elderly and accidents happen all the time,” Mrs Crannis said.
“And none of them are sprinters – we need all the warning we can get.”
For assistance fitting a smoke alarm, call Dubbo fire station on 6884 7447. In an emergency, dial triple zero.
