Northcote fire questions safety of smart meters – Emergency Services

Posted on May 19, 2012 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

A FAMILY’S narrow escape from a Northcote house fire prompted a Darebin officer to raise concerns about smart meter installation.

Christmas St resident Sophie Tzirozidis hailed her 12-year-old son a hero after he ran to the front of their house, stopped traffic and alerted neighbours to help evacuate his grandfather, Peter, and grandmother, Vicki, before they were overcome with smoke.

“If Peter hadn’t have come running out screaming for help my parents would have died from smoke inhalation because my father’s had a stroke and he can’t walk and my mother couldn’t move because she was in shock,” Ms Tzirozidis said.

“The fire started from the smart meter and the flames spread straight up to the roof.

“There’s nothing smart about smart meters – they’re terrible.”

The Metropolitan Fire Brigade estimated the damage at $300,000.

One brigade officer, who refused to be named because he was opening “a political can of worms”, said this was the third serious fire in Northcote he’d attended in the past six months that started at the smart meter.

He said the power companies were involved in “a massive cover-up” denying responsibility.

“The problem is not with the meter itself but with connecting it to wiring in older houses,” the officer said.

“Unless something’s done (to fix the problem), unfortunately we’ll see a lot more of these fires and we just have to hope no one will get hurt.”

The MFB officer said he’d repeatedly watched power company authorities visiting the houses after the fires and claiming sabotage or other factors were involved to take the heat off them.

Read the rest via Northcote fire questions safety of smart meters – Emergency Services – News – Northcote Leader.

HOW MANY STORIES LIKE THIS ARE WE GOING TO SEE?

Posted in Fire, House Fires, Smart Meter | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Stop Smart Meters Australia mentioned in the ESV report

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

Yesterday Energy Safe Victoria issued a press release about the completion of its draft report  into the safety of Victoria’s smart meters stating: “….ESV believes it is important that the public receives informed and independent information so they can continue to have confidence that smart meters are safe.”

The Herald Sun adds: “Fears over health risks supposedly linked with smart meters have seen people move out of their homes and others coat their houses in electromagnetic shielding paint amid claims of heart palpitations and other ailments.”

We are having quite an impact. In-fact we are mentioned twice in the report and recognised as a key stakeholder: 

1.3 Nature of issues raised
While most of the recent incidents now appear to be the result of criminal damage, ESV believes it is important to answer the additional questions that have emerged in relation to the safety of smart meters.

Most of the issues raised have been put forward by the Victorian Branch of the Electrical
Trades Union (ETU) and Stop Smart Meters Australia, who have questioned the safety of  smart meters. The media has reported the concerns raised by these key stakeholders, resulting in a great deal of largely misplaced community concern.

A summary of the key issues and assertions raised include:
• There has been a massive increase in meter failures since the smart meters were rolled
out.
• Smart meters cause fires and explosions.
• All smart meters that are affected by a HV injection on a circuit need to be replaced to
ensure safety.
• Smart meters need to be installed on non-flammable backing board to ensure safety.
• Smart meters are being installed on deteriorated backing boards.
• Energy companies have not followed appropriate procedures for testing of smart meters
following a HV injection.
• The smart meters that are being installed are poor quality and unsafe.
• Smart meters are emitting a coloured liquid that is unsafe.
• Smart meters emit high levels of electromagnetic radiation and cause health issues.

ESV is releasing this draft report to provide an opportunity for public comment to ensure that it addresses the key issues of concern to the community about smart meters.

ESV welcomes any comments or further information in response to this report. Submissions should be forwarded to info@esv.vic.gov.au by 15 June 2012.

After assessing any comments and further information received, ESV proposes to release a final report on the safety of the smart meter component of the AMI rollout in June/July 2012.

http://www.esv.vic.gov.au/Portals/0/Consumers/Files/Safety%20of%20advanced%20metering%20infrastructure%20in%20Victoria%20%20170512.pdf

We encourage you to make submissions and contribute to the final report.  The draft report did not adequately deal with all of the key issues of concern.  

KEEP UP YOUR GOOD WORK PEOPLE!

Posted in Smart Meter | Tagged , , , , , , | 9 Comments

What angles might be taken to install a smart meter?

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

Comment: I contact you with critical information which I believe should be posted on your website to make customers more informed about what angles might be taken to install a smart meter.

Recently, one of my neighbours informed me that she had received letters from Sp-Ausnet in regards to her country properties in rural Victoria, informing her that the safest option for the distribution of electricity to her property would be to convert to underground power cables, and turn off the existing overhead connection, reluctantly as she did not feel the need for it, she agreed, and scheduled an appointment with Sp-Ausnet to come out to 3 of her properties to change connections, so she thought.

She later noticed that whilst a few workmen worked on digging up her land and installing the new underground cables and cutting the existing ones, two of the men had gone around and installed smart meters at the same time that the others were working without her knowing.

She was furious, as at no point had she been informed that they also had intentions to install a new smart meter at the premesis at the same time.
Sp-Ausnet stated that it is a regular occourance when they changeover any supply connections also.

She then had to pay $230 per property to have the connection changed, and any additional cost that may be incurred due to having a smart meter installed with it’s inaccuracies.
—
I believe that this information is important for consumers as many may be against smart meters, although if they are invitied to install underground cables for safety in bushfire zones, may not also know that it means installing a new smart meter.

In conclusion —
Don’t allow them to do anything!
Do not allow access to your property! (Unless they state there is an imediate hazard, there is no reason for them to enter)
Do not agree to change anything, connections, meters ect. As changing one, generally means changing another for their own personal benefit!

Posted in Smart Meter | 1 Comment

Anti Smart Meter Coalition on Channel 7 News

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

Angry Gippsland Residents have formed a coalition against smart meters.

Click here to watch the video

Sp Ausnets Mother Day Gift For Warragul Mother.

For several reasons an elderly pensioner, who lives in Warragul , considered the Government’s smart meter was not in her interest and decided to exercise her right to refuse installation of this new device on her property.

Although the State Government has mandated the electricity distributors to “do their best endeavours to install the smart meters by 2013”, there is no legal enforcement for customers to accept these new electrical devices. Customers have the right to refuse.

A notice was fixed to her meter box indicating that permission to install was not granted. Last week when the SP Ausnet installers came to her street she spoke with them telling them of her decision and to ensure one was not installed on her property.

They appeared to respect her wishes but she kept a watch on them all week.

With no installers in sight she went to do her shopping and returned two hours later to find a smart meter installed.

What unbelievable lengths are SP Ausnet installers allowed to go to get their piece rate for each meter installed?

This outrageous action by SP Ausnet is not an isolated incident but this time the lady is very upset and angry with this disregard for her democratic rights as well as her health and safety. She wants the immediate removal of the installed electrical device

She has the support of family and local residents.

When SP Ausnet allowed this installation to occur, as they have done in the past, what they did not know was a “Smart Meter Public Awareness Forum” was held in Drouin on Thursday May 10th. This pensioner was one of the 100 people in attendance.

At this meeting it was resolved to form a “West Gippsland Anti Smart Meter Coalition”

This time she is not on her own. Members of the newly formed Anti Smart Meter Coalition will be rallying to support her and already legal action is being considered.

Minister for Energy, Michael O’ Brien, has stated that he expects the electricity distributors to respect the wishes of the customers.

Unfortunately Minister O’ Brien is either turning a blind eye or is not aware of the increasing bullying tactics of the distributors and the rising anger developing in the Community

Posted in Channel 7 News, Media, Smart Meter, Videos | Tagged | 13 Comments

Youtube video of smart meter emissions in Melbourne raises concerns

Posted on May 12, 2012 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

In mid March I supplied an RF meter to a concerned citizens group in Melbourne to enable them to measure RF emissions from the smart meters currently being rolled out all over the Melbourne metropolitan area. The meter was provided courtesy of Radmeters http://www.radmeters.com/Cornet-ED25G.html

Recently I received a number of video clips and have placed one on Youtube.

This clip shows a smart meter that apparently was turned down by 90% due to customer concerns. It shows frequent RF spikes (about 37 over a 3 minute period) Average peak levels are over 22 mW/m2 or 2.2 uW/cm2.

Another video clip, not yet uploaded on Youtube also shows frequent RF spikes every few seconds that are far greater intensity than in the one shown. (up to 36.4 uW/cm2)

In Melbourne it is common to find a bedhead up against a bedroom wall with an electrical meter immediately on the outside. In this case it seems possible that for people sleeping in close proximity to a smart meter on the outside wall, their RF exposures may be significantly in excess of a Swiss transmitter study that found increased nervousness, difficulty in falling asleep, difficulty in maintaining sleep, general weakness and joint pains. Sleep disturbance was associated with a maximum exposure of 1.85 uW/cm2 and a mean night-time exposure of less than 0.7 uW/cm2.

See: http://www.emfacts.com/download/Forum_2.pdf, page 23 -26.

This possibility represents a huge public health issue for Melbourne (and elsewhere), given the ubiquitus roll-out of the meters. This should call for an immediate halt to the roll-out and a commencement of independent research to determine the extent of people’s exposures, especially when a smart meter is in close proximity to a bedroom. Symptoms reported and their actual home RF exposure levels would be a good start. The BIG question: Is there a research organisation left in Australia that is not financially dependent on $$$ handouts from the corporations promoting smart meter technology?

Don Maisch, EMFacts

Posted in Jemena turned the meter down by 90%, Radiation, Safety, sleepless nights, Smart Meter | 7 Comments

Drouin Forum – Update

Posted on May 12, 2012 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

As one of the organisers of the Drouin Public Forum on Smartmeters, I would like to quickly acknowledge all the Speakers and helpers who gave of their valuable personal time and financial resources to enable the Event to take place. An event such as this would not take place unless there was fervent opposition in the Community to the imposition of a technology which has widely demonstrated health, safety and security risks at so many levels.

As it was, the Forum was completely packed out, with standing room only (many who to their credit stayed to network long after the Event finished). Local residents heard from Speakers on various related issues, and were able to give their personal views on the smart grid. It is a sign of good democracy when people can speak and be listened to, about a matter which has deep implications for all, today and in the future.

Member of stopsmartmeters.com.au.

related post: Smart Meter Forum in Drouin

Posted in Smart Meter | Leave a comment

Smart meter linked to house fire | Geelong

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

GEELONG firefighters are investigating a midday blaze which ripped through the front end of a Moorabool St house today.

CFA crews arrived just after noon to find the Moorabool St house well alight.

Police were also called to redirect traffic and close the Geelong-bound lane of Moorabool St.

Witnesses said they saw smoke pouring from a recently installed smart meter just moments before the fire started.

Read the rest of the article via Smart meter linked to house fire | Geelong, VIC, Australia.

Posted in Fire, House Fires, Smart Meter | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Radiation fear prompts action on Oak Park smart meter – Moreland Leader

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

AN elderly resident’s health fears prompted his electricity provider to reduce radiation from his smart meter by 90 per cent.

Jemena agreed to reduce the meter’s radiofrequency from 1000mw to 100mw after Oak Park asbestosis sufferer Antonio Bonifazio, 67, expressed concerns about possible effects.

Mr Bonifazio said he was “very much afraid of radiation”.

“I’ve lost 50 to 55 per cent of my lung capacity,” Mr Bonifazio said.

“Every time I get an X-ray it feels like a horse has kicked me in the chest. These meters emit some type of radiation, which they say is minimal.

“If they can reduce it to only 10 per cent from 100 per cent then that’s a bonus for me. They should do it for everyone.”

Jemena spokesman Scott Parker said the smart meter’s standard radio frequency of 1000mw was safe and less than 1 per cent of the maximum allowed by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency.

He said the reduction would have “no effect on the customer’s health”, but the company agreed to it because “the action will not compromise network communications” and “we always do whatever we can to support our customers”.

Mr Parker said it would only consider such a move in “very rare” cases.

via Radiation fear prompts action on Oak Park smart meter – Local News – News – Moreland Leader.

————————————————————————————————————–

Comment from Stopsmartmeters.com.au:“very rare” cases – really. We have some of those very rare cases right here on this site, and more in our comments posted by the public. There is even a link on our Home Page – Jemena turns meters down 90%!!!. From what we have seen it is not very rare at all. One of our first posts highlighted this very issue back in October 2011.

This comment from Jemena spokesman Scott Parker is very troubling: He said the reduction would have “no effect on the customer’s health”, but the company agreed to it because “the action will not compromise network communications” and “we always do whatever we can to support our customers”. Do they?

So we have to ask the question: Just how powerful are these devices when they can be turned down 90% AND STILL WORK??? If Telstra turned down our mobile phones 90% would they still work?

And if it would have no effect on the person’s health why do it??

If the device is working as designed, and there is nothing wrong with it, it’s safe (according to Jemena), then why throw all of this fear and doubt into the public by modifying the performance of their own properly working equipment? Is this not an admission that there IS something wrong with them?

WHAT IS GOING ON!!

Here are some other stories where they have turned down the meters by 90% https://stopsmartmeters.com.au/category/jemena-turned-the-meter-down-by-90/

Posted in Jemena turned the meter down by 90%, Smart Meter | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Urgent announcement: Check your Stop Sign!

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

URGENT ANNOUNCEMENT: Do you have the correct Stop Sign on your meter box and property entrance?

A person who has just had a visit from a smart meter installer has just contacted us with important information. He has his no trespass sign up, his meter box locked etc and his “NO CONSENT” sign on it etc – these are available on this site Click here

BUT the installer went and checked the sign to make sure it was the NO CONSENT NO TRESPASS sign and NOT the old sign saying you wish to defer pending the review. He said that if that out dated sign is displayed they just ignore it and put the smart meter in.

TELL EVERYONE to make sure they do not have the old sign displayed. Be sure to tell any friends and neighbours without access to the internet, and maybe print off these signs.

Go to this link and print out the correct signs 

Posted in Smart Meter | Leave a comment

Electrician gets shocked by shonky smart meter installation | 3AW Neil Mitchell

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Stop Smart Meters Australia

An electrician with 25 years’ experience has told Neil Mitchell how an incorrectly installed smart meter gave him a strong electric shock.

Warren May said he went to check on a leaking pipe at his Ascot Vale home, and upon touching the pipe received an “almighty shock out of the system.”

Read more and LISTEN to Electrician Warren May as he speaks with Neil Mitchell: via Electrician gets shocked by shonky smart meter installation | 3AW Neil Mitchell |.

Posted in Electric Shock, Smart Meter | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment