Fire station to share home safety info, host barbecue

AS the cold sets in, Inverleigh CFA is preparing to host a free community barbecue and home fire safety session at the brigade’s station this Monday 25 May.

Starting 5.30pm, the event will involve members of the CFA’s Community Safety team and will focus on practical ways to stay safe from fire in the home.

It comes as data from Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) and the Country Fire Authority reveals autumn and winter are the highest risk periods for residential fires across the state, due in part to increased use of home heating.

CFA community engagement coordinator Michael Dillon said the session will include a focus on smoke alarms and home fire escape plans.

“Key messaging is that any smoke alarm regardless of type needs to be replaced after ten years,” he said.

Winchelsea Commander Gavin Fitzgerald said the session will include a demonstration of using a fire blanket and an extinguisher.

“By the end of it we hope the local community will have increased awareness of common causes of fire in the home, increased understanding of preventing fire emergencies, and better understanding of how to deal with fire emergencies,” Fitzgerald said.

“Of the last six residential fires in the Inverleigh area, three of those were caused in the kitchen and two involved unattended cooking.”

Monday evening’s session is family-friendly with trucks on display, and it will include information on battery safety as well.

Victorian fire services have identified lithium-ion batteries that are widely used in rechargeable devices like laptops, mobile phones, e-bikes, e-scooters, power banks, and power tools, as an emerging fire safety risk.

Combined data from CFA and FRV shows firefighters responded to more than 3,600 residential fires across Victoria in the 2024-25 financial year alone.

“Lithium-ion batteries have become part of everyday life, but many people still underestimate the fire risk,” CFA deputy chief officer Garry Cook said.

“These fires can start quickly and spread just as fast, which is why it is so important people take simple precautions when charging and storing these devices.”

A free community session happening at Inverleigh Fire Station on Monday evening will aim to help locals stay safe at home. Photo: CFA Victoria.