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Parents asked to remind kids about grass fire dangers
Fri Jul 2 2010Parents asked to remind kids about grass fire dangers
Parents are being asked to remind their children about the dangers of playing with fire to ensure they stay safe these school holidays.
Queensland Fire and Rescue Service Assistant Commissioner of Rural Operations Steve Rothwell said bored children often look to lighting fires for excitement.
“The prospect of lighting a fire and seeing what happens can seem quite appealing but it can have devastating consequences,” he said.
“Vacant grassland is often seen to be a desirable area to light fires because it can seem low risk and is out of the view of people.
“At the moment all the grassland around the state is drying out and if a fire was lit in these areas it could spread within seconds and a major grass fire situation could develop within minutes.
“The fact is that fire in grassed areas spreads and grows very quickly and can affect surrounding houses and other structures without much warning.”
Mr Rothwell said the Queensland bushfire season was due to start in less than two months but fire conditions were potentially dangerous now.
“If we had a warm, dry, windy day in late June or July we could see fires break out that could be difficult to control.
“With that in mind people should be preparing their homes and families for the possibility of a bushfire in their area,” he said.
“Of course part of this preparation is educating your children that fire can be dangerous and unpredictable and that they should not be playing with fire of any sort without parental supervision.
“Other preparation tips include making sure your yard is kept tidy and clear of any vegetation that could become fuel for a fire, clearing gutters of leaf litter and debris, clearing overhanging branches from the roof and storing flammable items and stockpiles of timber well away from the home,” Mr Rothwell said.
More information on how to prepare for bushfire season can be found at www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au
Queensland Fire and Rescue Service Assistant Commissioner of Rural Operations Steve Rothwell said bored children often look to lighting fires for excitement.
“The prospect of lighting a fire and seeing what happens can seem quite appealing but it can have devastating consequences,” he said.
“Vacant grassland is often seen to be a desirable area to light fires because it can seem low risk and is out of the view of people.
“At the moment all the grassland around the state is drying out and if a fire was lit in these areas it could spread within seconds and a major grass fire situation could develop within minutes.
“The fact is that fire in grassed areas spreads and grows very quickly and can affect surrounding houses and other structures without much warning.”
Mr Rothwell said the Queensland bushfire season was due to start in less than two months but fire conditions were potentially dangerous now.
“If we had a warm, dry, windy day in late June or July we could see fires break out that could be difficult to control.
“With that in mind people should be preparing their homes and families for the possibility of a bushfire in their area,” he said.
“Of course part of this preparation is educating your children that fire can be dangerous and unpredictable and that they should not be playing with fire of any sort without parental supervision.
“Other preparation tips include making sure your yard is kept tidy and clear of any vegetation that could become fuel for a fire, clearing gutters of leaf litter and debris, clearing overhanging branches from the roof and storing flammable items and stockpiles of timber well away from the home,” Mr Rothwell said.
More information on how to prepare for bushfire season can be found at www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au
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