Heater warning as winter bites

By Kelly Yates
HALLAM firefighters are warning Casey residents to take care when cooking and using heating appliances this winter.
Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan is joining with firefighters from the Hallam Fire Brigade to support the launch of a campaign run by Energy Safe Victoria.
The campaign aims to raise awareness about how easily residential house fires can start and the importance of checking gas and electrical appliances before use.
Leading firefighter Matt Cree from the Hallam Fire Brigade told the News that firefighters at the station were called out to 1800 jobs every year, with between 40 and 50 being cooking related.
“We often find we’re called out to homes filled with smoke as people have left their cooking unattended,” he said.
“The message is simple – don’t leave your cooking unattended.”
Mr Donnellan also warned local residents to do a safety check on electric blankets.
“CFA figures show on average in regional Victoria there are about 15 electric blanket fires each year,” he said.
“During winter we often use appliances such as heaters and electric blankets that have been left unused for many months. It is important that these appliances are safety checked before use.”