With clocks going springing forward an hour on Sunday 1 October 2023 it’s a good idea to check your house and property are ready for the approaching summer months.
Daylight starts at 2am, Eastern Daylight Saving Time on Sunday 1 October 2023. Clocks will be put forward one hour.
It’s a great time to do safety checks around the house.
Check Your Smoke Detectors
When you change your clocks, check your smoke alarm for a second. It’s as simple as pressing a button. Don’t risk it; test it.
Last Week, Fire and Rescue NSW Station 061 Lane Cove came to ITC’s house to check our smoke alarms. They do a free inspection service and will install at no cost smoke detectors if they think your home needs them.
They also provide excellent advice. In particular, most fires start due to cheap appliances from overseas that don’t meet Australian Standards and people walking away while cooking.
They also said don’t leave your house when the dryer is on (and always clean the lint filter) and never leave the house when the oven is on.
You can call them on 02 9493 1061 or sign up online – see our article for more details.
Outside the House
Check roofs and gutters to ensure they are well-maintained and clear of debris and leaf litter for the storm and fire season. Also check your downpipes and external drains are not blocked or covered. A list of local tradies to help you to do this is here.
Trim overhanging branches and remove dead or dying trees to reduce the likelihood of damage during storms. Check with Lane Cove Council about their rules around pruning trees.
The majority of calls to the Willoughby – Lane Cove SES during periods of significant rain are often due to internal leaking and flooding caused by poor maintenance. The risk to your property can be reduced by being proactive and being prepared.
To protect your personal safety during storms, you should avoid two other risky behaviours;
- never walk or drive into floodwaters – the Willoughby – Lane Cove SES unit has flood rescue operators and a floodwater rescue raft. Still, the SES volunteer members would very much prefer not to have to risk their own lives using it.
- If trees or branches have come down, they may have brought down power lines with them. You must stay at least 8 metres away from power lines until deemed safe. For power lines, please report these by calling Ausgrid on 131 388.
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