Protect against fire in your home with the following tips.
Smoke alarms
- Install reliable smoke alarms
- Place smoke alarms outside bedrooms, high on walls and near the kitchen
- Test and clean alarms once a month
- Replace batteries once a year
- Replace your smoke alarm every 10 years
Matches and smoking
- Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children
- Don't smoke in bed or when drowsy or medicated
- Make sure that cigarette butts and matches are fully extinguished
- Never leave a lit cigarette (or cigar or pipe) unattended as they can easily overbalance and start a fire
Electrical wiring
- Frayed or exposed wires, along with loose plugs, are a fire hazard, so keep them maintained
- Plug outlets need properly fitted cover plates with no exposed wiring
- Don't overload extension cords or plug sockets (if you must, consider using a circuit breaker to prevent sparks and short circuits)
- Make sure insulation doesn't touch bare electrical wiring
- Ensure electrical wiring faults are assessed and repaired by a qualified electrician as it can be dangerous to tackle such problems on your own
Flammable items
- Don't store flammable liquids (e.g. benzene, naphtha) indoors
- Store flammable liquids in approved containers in a well ventilated area
- Never smoke near flammable liquids
- Immediately discard (or store in a metal container) any rags or materials that have come into contact with flammable liquids
- Ensure your chimney is three feet higher than your roof
- Remove any branches that hang around the chimney
- Don't be a hoarder – clean out storage areas where flammable material (newspapers, magazines etc.) can build up
Heat sources
- Position heaters at least three feet away from flammable materials
- Keep open flames away from flammable items, including curtains, furniture and walls
- Install a screen over your fireplace if you have children or pets in your home
Fire retardants
- Consider spraying your furniture with a fire retardant to prevent it from burning during a fire
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