Cold Snap Prompts Fire Safety Warnings

By MEGHAN RICHARDSON

A sudden cold snap has prompted New South Wales Fire Rescue to issue a fire safety warning for the Hunter.

Fire Rescue Superintendent Michael Jay says home appliances and negligence are the leading cause of fires when the temperature dramatically drops. 

New South Wales is expecting a lasting cold snap as a polar front moves in.

“What we find is that our major cause of house fires throughout the year is in the kitchen; 50% of fires are in the kitchen, but when we get a cold snap we have a spike in fatalities related to bedroom fires,” said the Superintendent.

Home appliances like the heater, dryer, and electric blankets are the main instigator for fires around the home when it gets colder.

With the continuing cold front Fire Rescue are urging people to employ a few easy tricks for staying safe.

“Switch off the heaters when you’re not in the premises.”

“Check your electric blankets before you use them, don’t leave them on while you’re in bed," Mr Jay said.

Other tips include clearing the lint from dryers, not overloading power boards, and not bringing external heat sources like industrial heaters inside.

It is especially vital to implement safety practices around the heater, including keeping ‘a meter from the heater’.

Remember not to stand too close or hang clothes off the heater as this can pose a significant fire risk.

This cold front has also brought some strong wind warnings and Fire Rescue NSW urges people to stay away from any fallen power lines and report them to triple zero.

Achoo! Worst flu month on record

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Shadow Minister for Health Walt Secord has renewed his criticism of the Berejiklian Government after a massive jump in the number of flu cases in the Hunter and across the state.

We are just over half way through July, and already there's been more than 350 reported cases of influenza this month in the Hunter's hospitals and across the state there been a record4,085 reported cases to the official database for NSW Influenza notifications.

Walt Secord says the government were unprepared for the huge spike in influenza cases which he says has led to an increase in the number of "bed block" incidents.

"So you have a situation where patients wait at every stage, they wait for an ambulance, they wait for the emergency department and then they wait for a bed. Sadly the Berejiklian government has been caught unprepared for the flu season - we're on track to have one of the worst years on record for flu."

The flu season is smashing regional hospitals, particularly The Calvary Mater Hospital.

"Calvary Mater Hospital in Newcastle is one of the three hospitals that have been cited as being under enormous pressure so again Newcastle is also feeling the brunt of this flu season," said Walt Secord.

He adds while it may be too late for the government to do anything about it this flu season, there are things we can do ourselves.

"You can still get your flu shot - if you're feeling well you can get your flu shot. I had my flu shot in April and I haven't missed a moment of work so again there's still time to get your flu shot. August is usually seen as the high month, the worst time of the year so there's still time."

Batten down the hatches!

BY JESSICA ROUSE

It's about to get a whole lot colder in Newcastle but if you're in the Barrington Tops it's about to get freezing. 

Snow is predicted to fall on the Barrington Tops with an east coast low funnelling through the Hunter tonight bringing with it strong seas, cold wind and rain for most of the week.

Wind speeds will pick up tonight with cold temperatures, shower activity on the coastal fringe with some of the moisture landing on the high peaks of the Barrington Tops, big seas, and very cold wind chill factors which will combine to make the perfect conditions for snow on the high peaks.

"Well it looks like the east coast low will form, its going to hit us quite hard overnight and throughout tomorrow and then it looks like it's going to track north and its going to hug the northern NSW coast and that means we're going to be on the southern side of it and whenever you're on the southern side of a low that drives in those strong winds, the showers and the clouds," said NBN weather presenter Gavin Morris.

The first dusting of snow is being predicted for the Barrington Tops by tomorrow morning.

"Places along the coastal fringe exposed to those high wind areas, make sure you tie down everything including trampolines! Everybody forgets about them but they're usually the first to get lifted out of the backyard, check boats and moorings and all those sorts of things. Go and give them a check today to make sure they're all secure," said Gavin Morris.

Image journaltimes.com

Baby, it's cold outside!

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

If you thought it was a little colder than usual when you jumped out of bed this morning, you're not wrong!

The Hunter experienced its coldest morning since last winter with the mercury dropping to -2.2 degrees at Cessnock at about 5:45am, while Cooranbong dipped to just below freezing.

Elsewhere Nobby's had a balmy 7.5 degrees and it hit 4.2 degrees at Williamtown.

The weather bureau says there's even a possibility of a dusting of snow on the Barrington Tops later today.

Help out your fellow man in the Vinnies Winter Appeal

BY LAUREN KEMP and JESSICA ROUSE

The St Vincent De Paul Society urging the Hunter community to help out their fellow man with donations for their Winter Appeal to help residents struggling with the cost of living in the coming colder months.

The average electricity debt has risen by more than  $100 between 2014 and 2015, and the wholesale price is expected to increase by as much as 20 per cent from  July.

Last year, Vinnies Winter Appeal distributed more than $4 million worth of assistance to disadvantaged families.

St Vincent De Paul Executive Officer for Maitland and Newcastle Denise Lucas says the community relies on donations especially when disadvantaged families have to make the difficult choice to stay warm.

"Unfortunately most families on a fixed income struggle with electricity bills when they come on a quarterly basis," and particularly when they use more electricity in winter.

"If we receive donations of clothes or furniture obviously they go into our Vinnies shop and the funds which are generated there go directly towards supporting people in our local community. People in the community can support our Winter Appeal with a donation which certainly goes towards helping people in our community with those extra costs during the winter months," said Denise Lucas.

For more information visit www.vinnies.org.au or call 13 18 12

Electricity prices going up, up, up

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery is calling on the state government to step in and make sure Novocastrians don't pay through the roof to keep warm this Winter.

An increase in wholesale electricity price of 50 per cent is said to be to blame for Hunter residents reportedly going to be paying up to $400 a year more for power from July

Last year, electricity and gas prices rose after the daily supply charges increased by up to 19.5%, and there are concerns this next pay increase will be too much for consumers to handle.

Sonia Hornery is particularly concerned about consumers in her electorate where there are a number of low income earners and pensioners.

"The increase is going to be an issue all across NSW, but in particular Wallsend because we have many low income earners in the area and many pensioners and people who are on the pension are on an absolutely limited income and are watching every dollar and cent that they spend."

The cuts to pensions and benefits are already making life a struggle, and this latest price rise could mean people affected will have to make the choice about keeping warm or not this winter.

"Some people will not be able to afford to turn on their heater this winter as a result of this increase - it is too much for some to cope with," said Sonia Hornery.

Reducing woodsmoke this winter

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Residents across the Hunter are being asked to keep an eye on their wood heaters in an effort to improve air quality this winter.

In a joint venture of both Singleton Coucnil and Muswellbrook Shire Council, residents are being encouraged to go outside and check their chimneys to see how much smoke, if any, their chimneys are omitting.

Ideally, chimneys shouldn't vent any smoke, just a heat haze.

The following ten tips will ensure your chimney produces less smoke and will help you neighbours breathe easy this winter.

1. Always burn small logs of aged, dry hardwood;
2. Store wood under cover in a dry ventilated area; freshly cut wood needs to be stored for 8-12 months;
3. Never burn rubbish, driftwood or treated or painted wood, which can pollute the air and can be poisonous;
4. Use plenty of dry kindling to establish a good fire quickly;
5. Stack wood loosely in your firebox so air can circulate;
6. Keep the flame lively and bright; your fire should only smoke for a few minutes when you first light it and when you add extra fuel;
7. Open air controls fully for five minutes before and 15-20 minutes after reloading;
8. Don't let you heater smoulder overnight
9. Check your chimney regularly - if there is smoke coming from the chimney, increase the air supply to your fire; and
10. Clean the chimney every year to prevent creosote build-up. Creosote is a sticky black residue that can build up in your chimney - A creosote-clogged chimney can spill smoke into your room when you open the heater, and even catch fire, putting your home at risk.

For more information council staff members are available to give advice and information on using your wood heater efficiently as well as information on rebate programs, is available on both councils' websites at www.singleton.nsw.gov.au/rebate or at www.muswellbrook.nsw.gov.au