Smoking in bed highlights risk

By Nathan Johnston
PUBLIC and special accommodation homes throughout Greater Dandenong have been described as extremely high fire risks.
Reports of residents at special accommodation venues smoking in bed contributed to the categorisation.
CFA experts worked with council officers on a Municipal Fire Prevention Strategy to determine the greatest risks and what was needed to reduce the risks.
According to the report, the risk of fire at special accommodation facilities was considered to be on the extreme side of high.
“The study highlights a number of findings in relation to a lack of emergency management procedures, staff training and other prevention and preparedness measures,” the report said.
“These measures would reduce the risk of fire occurring and could ensure residents and staff are prepared if fire does occur.”
Council’s director of city development Mal Baker said there was a contributing factor to the extreme risk.
“One of the reasons for the high degree of risk is that there were reports that people were smoking in bed in some of these special accommodation facilities.”
Other highrisk “environments” included factories and warehouses, residential dwellings and infrastructure such as telephone, water, natural gas and electricity installations.
The strategy included proposals to minimise the risks, such as increased community education, tighter controls and more inspections.