Author: John Blackburn

Smoke Alarms for Deaf

Did you know there are specialised smoke alarms for the deaf and hard of hearing?

When you are asleep you lose your sense of smell. A smoke alarm is your electronic nose. It will alert you if there is smoke from a fire.

A small fire can grow to involve an entire room in just two to three minutes.

Only a working smoke alarm will provide you with early warning and time to escape.

But what if you can’t hear the smoke alarm when it activates? A specialised smoke alarm system is designed to alert those who are deaf or hard or hearing

More information: cfa.vic.gov.au/smokealarms

Tags Smoke Alarms, Smoke Detector

Home Fire Safety

Smoke Alarm Reminder

When did you last test your smoke alarms?

When you are asleep you lose your sense of smell. A smoke alarm is your electronic nose. It will alert you if there is smoke from a fire.

A small fire can grow to involve an entire room in just two to three minutes.

Only a working smoke alarm will provide you with early warning and time to escape.

CFA recommends you regularly test and maintain your smoke alarms.

3 Easy Steps To Maintain Your Smoke Alarm In Working Order.

1. TEST your smoke alarm MONTHLY

Press and hold the test button to check the alarm sounds.

2. DUST your smoke alarm ANNUALLY

Dust the alarm to ensure the vents are not obstructed.

3. CHANGE the battery ANNUALLY

Replace the 9V battery each year. Modern alarms have lithium batteries that can last 10 years.

Tags Fire Safety, Home Fire, Smoke Alarms, Smoke Detector

Home Fire Safety

Reminder About Drying Clothes Inside

Remember 1 Metre From The Heater

With the cooler season now upon us, it’s a timely reminder many house fires each year are caused by clothes being too close to a heater, especially when left to dry over night.

Radiant heat from your heater can not only dry your clothes but it can also heat them to a point where they catch fire.

When drying clothes in front of a heater always remember the simple rule to keep them “A Metre From The Heater“.

Don’t forget to make sure your smoke alarms are working by regularly testing and cleaning them. More about smoke alarms.

Tags Fire Safety, Home Fire Safety, Upwey CFA

Announcement Events

Jumble Sale 2026 Thank you

Post author By John Blackburn
Post date 7 May 2026
No Comments on Jumble Sale 2026 Thank you

Jumble Sale Thank You

THANK YOU

A huge thank you from all the members at Upwey CFA goes out to everyone who supported the 55th Annual Jumble Sale.

To everyone who donated goods, to everyone who came on the day and purchased items, even if just some tasty treats off the BBQ or donut stall, and to all the behind-the-scenes sponsors who donated goods and services.

We had a fantastic outcome. The funds raised go towards updating our 3 brigade owned vehicles as well as the purchase and maintenance of equipment to ensure we can provide the best fire service we can for our community.

Looking forward to seeing you again next year.

Tags Events, Fund Raiser Event, Jumble Sale, Upwey CFA, Upwey Fire Brigade

Announcement Events

Jumble Sale 2026

Jumble Sale Saturday 2nd May 2026

Jumble Sale Doors Open 9:00am Sharp to 2:00pm.

Household furniture
Bric-a-brac
Toys
Games
Kitchen & cooking gear
Books
CDs & DVDs
Outdoor furniture & ornaments
Wall decorations
Mirrors
Fitness equipment
Gardening tools & equipment
Camping gear
Tools
Electrical and electronic equipment
and more!

A Great Day Out For Bargain Hunters And The Family.

Lot’s of delicious food and treats;

Home made cakes and bakes
Donuts
BBQ & Sausage sizzle
Drinks

Four Locations Within The Station

Main garage
Upstairs rear room
Downstairs rear of station
Side driveway

Payments

Cash and EFTPOS accepted

Need help getting your purchases home?

Ask about our delivery service

More Info: facebook.com/UpweyCFA

Tags Events, Fund Raiser Event, Jumble Sale, Upwey CFA, Upwey Fire Brigade

Brigade Activities Home Fire Safety

House Fire Upwey 19 May 2026

Post author By John Blackburn
Post date 22 April 2026
No Comments on House Fire Upwey 19 May 2026

House Fire Upwey

Devastating House Fire Upwey

At 10:57pm Sunday 19 April 2026, Upwey Fire Brigade responded to a house fire in Upwey.

We were supported by crews from Upper Ferntree Gully Fire Brigade, Ferntree Gully Fire Brigade and Bayswater Fire Brigade. Our thanks to these brigades for their assistance.

Unfortunately the house was a total loss. Our thoughts go out to all effected by this terrible event.

It was determined the fire was started from an old lithium-ion battery of a power tool on a new modern charger. Batteries need to be charged on the correct charger and at times of the day where it can be supervised. This also highlights the need for working smoke alarms.

About lithium batteries

Smoke Alarms

Tags House Fire

Home Fire Safety

Chimney Cleaning Time

Chimney Time

Chimney Maintenance Time

With the cooler weather seasons fast approaching, CFA is encouraging residents to keep themselves safe by checking and maintaining their fireplaces, chimneys, fireboxes and flues.

Spending a few minutes to check your chimney could be one of the most important fire safety actions you take this season.

You can easily check for creosote build-up or obstructions in your chimney using a torch before lighting the fire. Or you can engage a professional chimney sweep to check and clean your chimney for you.

CFA recommends you have your chimney cleaned annually and regularly test your smoke alarms to ensure they are working.

More information visit https://news.cfa.vic.gov.au/…/chimney-check-is-crucial…

Tags Chimney, Chimney Fire, Upwey CFA

Home Fire Safety News

Daylight Saving 2026 Ends

Post author By John Blackburn
Post date 30 March 2026

time change to daylight saving time on white background

Daylight Saving Ending 2026

Daylight Saving Time ends 3am Sunday 5th April 2026.

Turn your clocks BACK 1 hour.

Upwey CFA encourages you to check your smoke alarms are in working order when daylight saving ends this Sunday.

Three easy steps;

Test all your smoke alarms – press the test button and alarm should sound
Dust all your smoke alarms using a vacuum brush
Check &/or change the battery annually. Long life batteries can last up to 10 years and don’t need changing.

More information about smoke alarms

Tags Day light saving, Smoke Alarms

Announcement Events

Jumble Sale 2026 Update

Post author By John Blackburn
Post date 28 March 2026

Jumble Sale 2026 Update

Upwey CFA 55th Jumble Sale is happening Saturday 2nd of May 2026.

We are ready to come and collect your charitable donations for our 55th Annual Jumble Sale.

To request a collection:

Call us on 9754 3788 and leave a message or
Email us at jumblesale@upweycfa.org.au or
Message us through our Facebook page – facebook.com/UpweyCFA

If you would like to drop your items off at the station, members will onsite Wednesday evenings from 7.30 – 9.30 and Sunday mornings from 9.30am -11.00am

Tags Events, Fund Raiser Event, Jumble Sale, Upwey CFA, Upwey Fire Brigade

Announcement

End FDP 2025-26

Post author By John Blackburn
Post date 23 March 2026

End FDP 2025-2026

The Fire Danger Period for Knox City Council, Manningham Council, Maroondah City Council and Yarra Ranges Council will be lifted as of 1am Monday 30th March 2026.

If you burn off after the conclusion of the Fire Danger Period, please be mindful that it is easy to lose control of your small burn-off. You can refer to the CFA brochure ‘Are you burning off safely?’ to ensure your burn remains safe and legal. Take care and make sure you have water available at all times and never leave your burn-off unattended.

Your local CFA Brigade can provide you with advice on how to safely burn-off, and how to best prepare yourself and your property for the next fire season.

Before lighting a burn-off, we urge residents to always notify their neighbours and register their burn either online via firepermits.vic.gov.au or by calling the Burn-Off Notification Line on 1800 668 511.

Always check and adhere to your council’s local laws and regulations before burning off.

Fire Danger Ratings

More information:
cfa.vic.gov.au/firedangerperiod

Tags fire danger period