Peard Mindarie’s Sharon Botha, National Smoke Alarm Services managing director David McGuire, Peard Group managing director Maree Overton and Peard Mindarie senior property manager Tracy Kriwopischin.
Camera IconPeard Mindarie’s Sharon Botha, National Smoke Alarm Services managing director David McGuire, Peard Group managing director Maree Overton and Peard Mindarie senior property manager Tracy Kriwopischin. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Sounding the call for smoke alarms

Staff ReporterNorth Coast Times

National Smoke Alarm Services presented Peard Real Estate with safety awards at its Mindarie office for ensuring that smoke alarms worked in the properties it managed.

‘The work you have done is absolutely enormous,’ NSAS State manager Rosie Morehead said. ‘Today we show our appreciation for your efforts in community safety.’

Ms Morehead acknowledged the support of the Community Newspaper Group, Wanneroo Mayor Tracey Roberts, who presented the awards on behalf of NSAS, and FESA in spreading the word on home fire safety.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

She acknowledged FESA’s work in saving lives and the toll carrying bodies from house fires took on officers.

‘Last year was a horrendous year for house fires,’ she said before saying she was glad the smoke alarm message would be repeated before August, ‘the worst month for (house fire) figures.’

‘In 2013, wouldn’t it be wonderful to see a decrease in the loss of life in Western Australia and to have FESA’s resources not strained.’

Mayor Roberts said the call to install and maintain smoke alarms was a ‘simple and clear message and a matter of life and death’.

She said a landlord did not want a death on their conscience if they had not installed a smoke alarm.

‘I’d rather pay for a smoke alarm than a funeral.’

FESA acting district officer Russel Jones said raising awareness of house fires and the use of smoke alarms was important, particularly when ‘we’re losing about 50 people a year’.

‘It is a matter of doing a six-monthly check (of smoke alarm) so it’s all safe,’ he said.

‘People don’t realise how quickly a fire can spread and the smoke is the real danger.’

Peard Mindarie senior property manager Tracy Kriwopischin accepted an award for her two years’ hard work along with Peard Group managing director Maree Overton.

‘When the smoke alarm legislation came in we did make it a priority for our landowners and tenants,’ Ms Overton said.