The importance of fire safety at home

A SIMPLE CHECK... Smoke alarms should be tested regularly to ensure the batteries are still working. Photo: Supplied.
A SIMPLE CHECK… Smoke alarms should be tested regularly to ensure the batteries are still working. Photo: Supplied.

New research has shown that the number and location of working smoke alarms in a home can have a drastic impact on the chances of escaping from a fire.

Over the last 10 years, most fatal house fires started in either someone’s lounge room or bedroom, and as CFA manager community safety for the North East region, Darren Viney said, “Having a working smoke alarm is your first line of defense in the event of a fire.”

Most fatal fires happen at night while we’re sleeping. When we sleep, we lose our sense of smell, so the smell of smoke won’t wake us up.

“Our recommendation is that smoke alarms should be powered by a 10-year lithium battery and installed on the ceiling at least 30cm from the wall.

“Smoke alarms must be between each sleeping area and the rest of the house. Additionally, we recommend smoke alarms be inside all bedrooms and are interconnected – so that when one of your smoke alarms sounds, the others will do the same,”  Mr Viney said.

Now is also a good time to check your home for any potential fire hazards.

“We urge rural Victorians to keep themselves safe as we head into winter, when heaters and electric blankets bring a greater risk of house fires,” said Mr Viney.

Ensuring home heating, including flues and chimneys, are regularly cleaned and serviced by a certified technician is an important safety measure.

Electric blankets should be turned on 30 minutes before bed and turned off when you get in to bed. Keep electric blankets flat and regularly check for any broken or worn wiring.

For more information about home fire safety, visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/fires-in-the-home