Fire Protection Association Australia recommends ten steps you can take to protect yourself, your family and your home from fire.

1. Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms are designed to alert you to the presence of a

fire, especially when you are asleep. Make sure you have at

least one installed and operating on each level of your home.

Smoke alarms have been responsible for saving many hundreds

of lives in Australia and overseas. For advice on selection,

placement and maintenance of smoke alarms, contact your

local fire brigade or a reputable fire protection company.

A number of Councils and Service Clubs offer assistance with installing smoke alarms and replacing batteries.

2. Getting Out

In the case of fire in your home you MUST leave the house. You

must NOT return for pets or treasured possessions: they are

not worth your life.

Call the fire brigade as soon as possible from a neighbour’s house or public phone. If you live alone go straight to a neighbour. Pre-plan with your family to meet at a safe point away from the house (for example, the letterbox).

 
This will make sure every occupant is accounted for. You should

plan now and practice escaping from your home by at least two

routes from every room. If there is smoke in the house, crawl

low. There will be less smoke and heat near the floor.

3. Dead-Locks

Many people have died in fires because they have dead-locked

themselves in and removed the key from the lock. Normal

door-locks are designed to prevent people entering a house

without a key.

Deadlocks also allow doors to be locked to

prevent people leaving a house without a key. It is fine to

deadlock your doors while you are away and your home is

unoccupied.

It can be dangerous to deadlock your house while you are at home without having the key in the lock or close by. You must be able to quickly escape from your home in the event of fire (or in the event of an intruder).

4. Heaters

All heaters should be at least 1 metre (3 feet) away from

curtains, furniture or flammable items. Clothing should never

be placed over heaters.ire Protection Association Australia

5. Wood Fires

Wood and similar fuels should not be burned in anything other

than a properly constructed fire-place, wood heater or woodstove.

Open fires should be screened with a proper fireguard

and NEVER left unattended.

 
6. Cooking

When cooking you should make sure that there are no curtains

or other flammable materials nearby. You should use only

cooking pots with safe, strong handles and properly fitting lids.

If cooking oil catches fire DO NOT use water. Instead turn off

the heating source, place a lid on the pot, or use a fire blanket.

Do not attempt to carry the pot of burning cooking oil to

outside the house. If you cannot immediately put your fire out

you must evacuate your home and call the fire brigade.

7. Clothing

When cooking around or sitting near open fires, wear close

fitting clothes, as loose sleeves and scarves can easily catch

fire. If your clothing does catch fire, do not panic.

STOP don't run as this will fan the flames, DROP to the ground and cover your face with your hands, ROLL over to smother the flames.

8. Smoking

If you or anyone else in your home smokes, make sure there

are large ash-trays around the home. DO NOT SMOKE IN BED,

or when you are drowsy. Dropped cigarettes are a major cause

of fire fatalities.

9. Electricity

Have an electrician check your wiring and install a safety switch

(earth leakage circuit breaker). If you have old electrical

appliances or appliances with worn or frayed cords, have them

checked. If any appliance gives off smoke or a burning smell,

switch it off immediately at the plug, and remove the plug from

the socket.

If you have any doubts at all about an appliance, DO NOT use it until it is checked by a qualified tradesperson.

10. Be Prepared

Have an approved fire extinguisher and fire blanket handy and

keep your garden hose attached to an outside tap.