Following a number of recent house fires, NT Fire and Rescue members are again reminding Territorians of the importance of working smoke alarms.

Station Officer Peter van Boxtel said four house fires were reported over the weekend, including the Humpty Doo structure fire which destroyed an elevated home early Sunday morning.

“In all of these cases the smoke alarms appear to have either saved the lives of the occupants or alerted neighbours to the incident, resulting in the swift response of NT Fire and Rescue,” S/O van Boxtel said.

The legislation brought in on 1 November 2011 states – All residential properties must have working smoke alarms.

If you have an older style working ionization smoke alarm currently installed, you do not have to change to a photoelectric smoke alarm until one of the following occurs:

• The smoke alarm stops working
• You sell your house
• You rent out your premises or renew a tenancy
• You hire out your caravan or mobile dwelling.
  

“A majority of calls relating to smoke alarms are made by vigilant neighbours and we encourage this type of community awareness to continue. These concerned members of the public making a quick call to Triple Zero ‘000’ can make all the difference.

“We also urge members of the public to be aware of any suspicious activity around homes or further afield and to remember the bushfire arson slogan – ‘If you see something, know something, then say something.’”

Always remember – if you witness anything suspicious, please call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

In an emergency always call Triple Zero ‘000’.

For further information on smoke alarms, please click here.