Fire safety has been boosted for vulnerable residents in close to 100 Camperdown homes thanks to a joint initiative by CFA's South West Community Safety team, Camperdown Fire Brigade and Camperdown Lions Club.
CFA's Mandy Maglaras provided Home Fire Safety advice to Camperdown resident Gwen Lindsay while Lions members changed smoke alarms.
Coming together on Saturday 20 February, the groups visited close to one hundred homes as part of Home Fire Safety initiative which was piloted in 2019 by CFA's South West Regional Community Engagement Coordinator Mandy Maglaras. Postponed last year due to COVID-19, the initiative was finally able to recommence on Saturday with restrictions easing and COVID safe practices in place.
Mrs Maglaras said the day was a huge success with more than 100 smoke alarms installed, 90 fire blankets distributed, and a considerable amount of smoke alarm batteries replaced.
"Some of the smoke alarms we replaced were more than 20 years old and no longer working," she said.
"It was such a rewarding day on so many levels. We had eight teams consisting of Lions members, Camperdown Brigade Captain Danny Gordan, former Captain Peter Stephens and our Community Engagement teams all working together to do what we can to help those in need, strengthening community connectedness and providing valuable fire safety advice and equipment throughout the day."
"Research shows people aged over 65 are three times more likely to die in house fires so having working smoke alarms will give residents early warning of a fire in the home. We installed smoke alarms in sleeping and living areas as this is where most fatalities occur. Being alerted early can provide precious minutes that can be the difference between life and death."
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Camperdown Lions Club President Maree Belyea said club members supply and change batteries in the smoke alarms free of charge for the elderly citizens of Camperdown at the end of Victorian Daylight Savings each year.
"Mandy approached us back in 2019 as she was working on a home fire safety project providing free smoke alarms installations for vulnerable people. This project worked in nicely with what we at Lions provide each year to the community," she said.
"It has been great to be able to work together to provide our residents with valuable fire safety advice and smoke alarm units. We have made some great new friends too!"
The afternoon finished up with a delicious afternoon tea which the Lions members generously provided.
