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“Get ready”. That is the Rural Fire Service Mid Murray Zone Support Brigade’s message to the local community as the Bushfire Danger Period gets underway.

The statutory period begins in Mid Murray tomorrow, covering the local government areas of Edward River, Murray River and Murrumbidgee.

Permits will be required to burn grass and stubble from this date.

During this period, no burning of timber and sticks will be permitted, and there is to be no burning on weekends and public holidays.

In preparation of the Bushfire Danger Period and warmer conditions, the support brigade hosted a Get Ready Weekend on Saturday.

Those who came along received information about the online property assessment tool, checking barbecue fittings and reminded about replacing batteries in smoke alarms.

The online property assessment tool is designed to help you make an informed decision when making your bushfire survival plan, such as whether you leave early, or stay with your property and defend it.

You can find the tool at https://assessmyrisk.rfs.nsw.gov.au.

In regards to barbecues, the advice is always to check LPG cylinders before turning them on.

“Do not refuel or use a damaged cylinder or if a licensed gas fitter has not tested it in more than ten years,” the Rural Fire Service says.

“Check the hose has not deteriorated, also check connections are tight and that the ‘o’ ring has not split.

“You can test the connection to the gas cylinder every time you connect it by spraying it with soapy water. Bubbles will form if gas is escaping.”

Smoke alarms have been proven to save lives, alerting occupants of a building to a fire in time for them to escape unharmed.

To ensure they are in the best working condition, fire authorities recommend the alarm should be tested monthly and maintained regularly.

“Every six months the smoke alarms should be cleaned by a vacuum cleaner, to remove any dust or particles that could prevent the alarm from working properly,” the RFS says.

“If your smoke alarm has a battery you should replace it annually.

“If it uses a lithium battery, it is inbuilt into the alarm and cannot be replaced. Therefore, the entire unit needs to be replaced every ten years.

“All types of smoke alarms should be removed, replaced and disposed of at least every ten years.”

For more advice, contact the Mid Murray RFS on 5898 4100, email midmurray.zone@rfs.nsw.gov.au or go to www.facebook.com/MidMurrayZone.

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