SMOKE ALARM LEGISLATION WILL BE ENFORCED

Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts has said that although the main focus will be on education, the new smoke alarm requirements will be actively enforced by the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS), and fines will be issued for non-compliance.

Mr Roberts said that on 1 July it became compulsory for the owners of residential homes and units built before July 1997 to install smoke alarms.

“Obviously we will continue to work with the community to build awareness of the importance of smoke alarms and to improve the level of fire safety generally, but deliberate and flagrant breaches of these new requirements will be penalised,” he said.

“I don’t want the QFRS to simply become the smoke alarm police, but we do have people on the ground now across the State with the capacity to issue fines to enforce this legislation where necessary.”

Mr Roberts said Queensland householders have already proven to be fire safety aware, with very good rates of voluntary smoke alarm installations.

“Even before smoke alarms became compulsory, a survey for the QFRS late last year showed that homes with operational smoke alarms installed had increased to 79%, a 2.6% improvement from 2005,” he said.

“Smoke alarms are essential safety devices for your home. We want to see smoke alarm coverage lift even further, and that’s what these new requirements are all about.

“The risk of death from fire in a home is up to three times higher in homes without smoke alarms when compared to homes with smoke alarms. In fact, here in Queensland over 78% of all home fire deaths occur in homes without smoke alarms.”

Mr Roberts said the QFRS has a strong track record in enforcing fire safety requirements.

“Since the QFRS Compliance and Prosecution Unit Section was established in December 2001 a total of 3,834 notices, 1,209 on the spot fines and 617 requisitions (notice to comply with requirements) have been issued and 72 prosecutions have occurred across both budget accommodation and non-budget accommodation buildings,” he said.

Mr Roberts said the recent spate of house fires had reinforced the importance of operational smoke alarms.

“This is the coldest winter we’ve had in recent years, and it’s essential that we keep fire safety in mind while keeping warm,” he said.

Mr Roberts said homeowners and tenants can reduce the threat of fires at home by undertaking some simple precautions, including:

·Ensuring smoke alarms are positioned properly and in good working order.

·Ensuring that all electrical appliances – especially electric blankets and heaters placed in storage or out-of-use over summer – are checked for damaged cords and safe function.

·Not using heaters as drying racks for clothes, towels, linen or bedding.

·Not overloading power points.

·Turning off heaters and clothes dryers when leaving home – even for brief times.

·Not sleeping with electric blankets turned on.

·Never leaving an open fire unattended, always have a fire screen, and ensure chimneys are properly maintained.

·Ensure everyone in the household is aware of a fire evacuation plan.

Mr Roberts encouraged householders to take advantage of the Safehome program offered by the QFRS where fire-fighters conduct a home fire safety inspection and give advice on eliminating hazards. Information about Safehome can be found at www.fire.qld.gov.au or by calling 1300 369 003.

Media contact: Brendan Connell 07 3247 8992, 0437 837 976

Tim Shipstone 07 3247 8194, 0409 620 571