Home Fire Safety
30 per cent of house fires starting in the kitchen, this is more than any other room of the house.
A series of advertisements highlighting this important message will air on radio and television during winter.
Insulation Fires
The MFB has responded to several roof fires over recent years caused by electrical equipment in contact with combustible material. In some cases this material has been incorrectly installed insulation.
We advise homeowners to:
- Always use a registered and qualified contractor to install insulation in the home.
- Ask the installer to check and confirm that correct barriers are fitted to downlights before placing insulation in the roof space.Never allow the insulation to be placed on top of downlights or other electrical equipment.
- Ensure a registered and qualified contractor confirms that all electrical appliances installed in the roof space, such as down lights and transformers, to ensure that they have either a non flammable/mechanical barrier around them to prevent insulation or other material covering them or the required clearance. A good rule of thumb is a clearance of a hand span’s width is the minimum clearance requirement.
- Where possible, always use the best quality fittings and guards available.
- Following ANY maintenance or works in the roof space, ensure that all downlights, transformers and all other electrical and/or gas appliances are clear of insulation or any other materials.
- Home owners hot line for further information is 131 792
Insulation material installed directly over downlights or other electrical equipment such as exhaust fans and central heating units, greatly increases the risk of fire.
Australian Standards require that insulation is kept clear of downlights for a distance of 200mm all round. For further information contact the Home Owners hotline on 131 792.
In the event of any fire contact 000 immediately
Ensure you have working smoke alarms
Practice your home fire escape plan
NEVER RE ENTER A BURNING BUILDING
Home Fire Safety - Simplified English
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Home Fire Safety - Simple English (34.7MB)
Electricity
The Kitchen
Open Flames
Safety Equipment
Smoke Alarms
Winter Fire Safety
Summer Fire Safety
MFB Aims to Protect You
ELECTRICITY
PREVENT ELECTRICAL FIRES IN YOUR HOME.
Empty your toaster regularly.
Regularly check the cords on your appliances.
Have damaged cords repaired by a tradesperson.
Turn off your appliances.
Unplug them when you are not using them.
Make sure TVs, videos, stereos and portable heaters have good air circulation.
Use double adaptors and power boards appropriately.
Do not join extension cords.
Use an extension cord that is the correct length.
Make sure the extension cord is straight and on top of the floor coverings.
Use all electrical appliances in dry areas.
Store your cool hair dryer safely.
Light globes are hot. Don’t put material over the lamp.
Use a lower wattage globe to dim the light.
THE KITCHEN
THE MAJORITY OF ALL HOME FIRES START IN THE KITCHEN.
PROTECT YOUR FAMILY FROM KITCHEN FIRES.
Always stay in your kitchen while food is cooking.
Turn off the stove before you leave the kitchen.
Keep pot handles turned inwards.
Avoid fat and oil spatters.
Do not fill the saucepan.
Heat oil carefully.
Hot oils and fats catch fire easily.
Do not use water to put out an oil fire. Use a dry powder extinguisher, a fire blanket or a saucepan lid.
Clothes and material can catch fire easily.
Keep your clothes away from heat. Tie long hair back to keep safe.
Store pressure packs and cleaning materials away from heat.
Clean your griller, oven and range hood fi lter regularly.
OPEN FLAMES
CANDLES, OIL BURNERS, MATCHES/LIGHTERS AND CIGARETTES CAN ALL BE DANGEROUS. PREPARE YOUR FAMILY FOR THE SAFE USE OF OPEN FLAMES.
Dampen cigarettes.
Then dispose of them.
Never smoke in bed.
First put a small amount of water in an oil burner.
Then add the oil.
This keeps the burner and oil at a safe temperature.
Use candles and oil burners away from curtains and windows.
All open flames should be extinguished before you leave home or retire for the night.
Candles and oil burners should be used only when an adult is present.
Use candles and oil burners on a safe surface. Place them so they cannot be knocked over.
Tablecloths can catch fire easily.
Keep all matches and lighters away from children.
Use a child resistant lighter and a deep ashtray.
JUVENILE FIRE AWARENESS AND INTERVENTION PROGRAM [JFAIP]
JFAIP is a free service to families who think that their child may be playing with fire. This service aims to reduce the number of deaths, injuries and property damage caused by Juvenile Firelighting in Victoria. Selected firefighters are trained specifically to consult with children. They can work in the child’s home environment with the entire family.The visits remain completely confidential. The use of professional interpreters can be included in the service. Contact the JFAIP Office for information or assistance on 1300 309 988.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
PRACTISE WHAT TO DO. KNOW YOUR EQUIPMENT.
FIRE BLANKETS
Take hold of the two tabs. Pull the blanket out of its container.
Hold the tabs to protect your hands.
Stretch out your arms in front of you.
Walk slowly towards the fire.
As the blanket hits the bottom of the pot, drape the blanket over the fire.
Leave the blanket over the pot.
Turn off the gas/electricity at the stove or at the main supply, but only if you feel safe.
Call 000. Firefighters will attend.
WHERE TO BUY FIRE BLANKETS AND FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
Fire blankets and extinguishers can be purchased from most hardware stores and large supermarkets.
Fire blankets cost around $15-20, and fire extinguishers cost from $20, depending on size.
MFB recommends: Buy only fire blankets and extinguishers with the Australian Standard symbol.
DRY POWDER EXTINGUISHERS
Take the extinguisher off the wall or lift it off the bench.
Remove the extinguisher from its holder.
Pull out the pin. Take off the lid.
Walk slowly to 2 or 3 metres from the fire.
Aim at the base of the fire. Push the trigger.
Sweep the powder at the flames.
Continue until the extinguisher is empty.
Turn off the gas/electricity at the stove or at the main supply, but only if you feel safe.
Call 000. Firefighters will attend.
SMOKE ALARMS
THE EARLIER A FIRE IS DETECTED, THE GREATER THE CHANCE OF ESCAPING SAFELY. WORKING SMOKE ALARMS PROTECT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
WHERE TO INSTALL SMOKE ALARMS
• A smoke alarm should be installed outside the sleeping area(s) of your home.
• Install extra alarms inside bedrooms where doors are shut at night.
• Two storey houses often have bedrooms upstairs. They must also have a smoke alarm downstairs near the path used to exit the house.
• Don’t put a smoke alarm in a bathroom.
• Don’t put an ordinary smoke alarm near cooking areas.
Single storey house.
When there are bedrooms at either end of the house, two smoke alarms are required.
Two storey house.
Two smoke alarms required, near bedrooms and near commonly used exit.
MAINTAINING A WORKING SMOKE ALARM
Test alarms every week. Clean alarms every month. At the end of Daylight Saving change your clock and change your smoke alarm batteries.
All houses must have a smoke alarm on each level. Home owners are legally responsible for installation of alarms in rental properties. Smoke alarms should carry the Australian Standard symbol.
UPDATING YOUR SMOKE ALARM
When you are sleeping you cannot smell smoke. Smoke alarms save lives. They wake you and alert you to the danger from smoke and fire. Smoke alarms in existing homes were made compulsory in February 1999. New homes must have wired-in smoke alarms installed prior to occupancy.
There are two principle types of smoke alarms: ionisation and photo-electric. Ionisation smoke alarms detect the presence of extremely small particles of smoke. Photo-electric smoke alarms detect visible smoke. Both ionisation and photo-electric smoke alarms provide occupants time to escape. Photo-electric alarms are now the technology of choice. Ionisation alarms have helped save the lives of hundreds of people in Australia.
The MFB urges all householders to supplement their existing ionisation smoke alarms with photo-electric alarms.
BE PREPARED: HAVE A HOME ESCAPE PLAN
A HOME ESCAPE PLAN IS ESSENTIAL FOR PROTECTION IN CASE OF FIRE:
• Know two ways out of every room.
• Close the door to prevent fire and smoke from spreading.
• Crawl low in smoke.
• Get out. Alert others.
• When outside, stay out. Never go back inside!
• Meet at a common meeting place at the front of the house i.e. letterbox. Wait until the fire brigade arrives.
• Phone 000 from the nearest available phone eg. neighbour’s house.
WINTER FIRE SAFETY
IN WINTER THERE ARE MORE HOUSE FIRES. PREVENT FIRE. KEEP YOURSELF WARM. BUT REMEMBER WINTER FIRE SAFETY.
ELECTRIC BLANKETS
Check that wires are not damaged.
Put the electric blanket on the bed completely flat with controls beside the bed.
Half an hour before getting into bed turn the blanket on.
Turn off the controls and the power when you get into bed.
WHEAT-FILLED HEAT PACKS
Wheat-filled Heat Packs can help pain, but they can also be dangerous.
Instructions on packs are very important. Make sure you follow them.
Place a glass of water inside the microwave when heating the bag.
Leave pack to cool. Then store it.
Wheat filled packs should not be used to warm beds.
Hot water bottles can warm your feet.
CHECK YOUR HOTSPOTS
Keep your house safe during Winter by visiting the Hotspots website at www.checkyourhotspots.com
Learn about the potential fire risks in your home.
Download a fire safety checklist that you can use to make sure you’re safe.
HEATERS & OPEN FIRES
Read the instructions for your heater.
Have your heater correctly installed.
Ensure there is space between your portable heater & the wall.
All clothing, curtains and toys should be at least one metre from the heater.
Children’s night clothes should be labelled “Low Fire Danger”.
Put all heaters and fires out before you leave home or go to bed.
CLOTHES DRYERS
Clean lint filters each time you use the dryer.
Let the dryer complete its cycle. ‘Cool down’ is essential.
Make sure there is airflow around the dryer.
Turn the dryer off when not in use.
Turn the dryer off before you leave home or go to bed.
Clean flues and chimneys once a year.
Place a screen in front of the fire.
Store firewood away from fire.
Always supervise young children in rooms with fires and heaters.
SUMMER FIRE SAFETY
WE OFTEN TAKE HOLIDAYS OVER SUMMER. PREPARE YOUR HOLIDAY HOME, YOUR CARAVAN AND YOUR HOME FOR A SAFE SUMMER.
In summer a Total Fire Ban occurs when weather conditions make danger from fire extremely high. This is often caused by a combination of high temperatures, low humidity and high winds. Radio, television and newspapers carry announcements of a Total Fire Ban.
For further information telephone the Victorian Information Bushfire Line on 1800 240 667.
ON TOTAL FIRE BAN DAYS:
• You cannot use an incinerator.
• You cannot light a fire in the open.
• You cannot use solid fuel barbecues.
• You cannot light a campfire.
• To use a welder, a grinder, a solder or gas cutter outside you must have a permit from the MFB. Call 9662 2311.
FIREWORKS
The use of fireworks without a licence is illegal in Victoria. To obtain a licence contact Victoria Workcover Authority on 9641 1555.
GAS OR ELECTRIC BARBECUES:
Can be used at home, if they are within 20 metres of your house.
A barbecue can be used in a park, if it is a fixed permanent structure.
But you must have:
• a 3 metre area around and above the barbecue that is clear of all flammable material.
• an adult in attendance at all times.
• a hose connected to a tap ready for use.
• a bucket of water ready for use (minimum of 10 litres of water).
BARBECUES
An adult must always be in control of a barbecue.
GAS CYLINDERS
Check the ‘use by’ date on your gas bottles.
Check connections on the hose are tight and not leaking.
Check the hose has not perished.
HOLIDAYS
Before you leave for a holiday Check:
1. Smoke alarms are in working order.
2. Electrical appliances are turned off and unplugged.
3. Gutters are clear of leaves and debris. All combustible materials such as leaves, grass, timber and paper have been removed from around your home.
SECURITY
Keep your key in the lock of the door.
OR
Install deadlocks that you can open from the inside without a key.
Make sure window security grilles open outward easily from the inside.
MFB AIMS TO PROTECT YOU
EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESPONSE
MFB Firefighters are trained to attend life threatening medical emergencies.
Don’t be surprised if a fire truck arrives in a medical emergency. Firefighters will perform first aid until an ambulance arrives. The Fire Brigade and Ambulance Service work in co-operation because firefighters can often get to a patient first. A few minutes can save a life.
Firefighters are sensitive to differing cultural and religious practices, but their first priority is always the life of their patient. Please co-operate with them.
TO GET HELP – 000
As long as you feel safe, use your phone.
When fire makes phoning from your home dangerous, call from a neighbour’s home.
• Dial 000.
• Wait.
• The operator will say “Police, Fire or Ambulance?”
• Say “Fire”.
• Wait.
• Tell the operator your address and nearest cross street.
REMEMBER: DIAL 000 AND SAY “FIRE”.
If you are using a landline phone your home can be found if you simply say “fire” and leave the phone off the hook.
WOULD YOU LIKE MORE INFORMATION?
The MFB has many programs to help keep you, your family, your home, and your workplace safe from fire. These include programs for children, retired groups and multicultural groups. The MFB also provides training and advice for safety in the workplace.
This publication is available in Arabic, Chinese, Croatian, Greek, Italian, Macedonian, Polish, Serbian, Somali, Spanish, Turkish, Vietnamese, Simplified English and Standard English.
We value any feedback on this brochure. If you have any comments or suggestions, please contact the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, Multicultural Education Officer.