Smoke alarms save lives

After a series of tragic house fire deaths in December and January, CFA and MFB recently joined forces to get the message out to the Victorian community that house fire deaths are preventable.

CFA Deputy Chief Officer Steve Warrington and MFB Assistant Chief Officer Keith Adamson fronted a strong media contingent of press, radio and television to deliver house fire safety information and discuss how a working smoke alarm can save lives.

CFA and MFB also issued a joint fact sheet to the media highlighting the dangers of house fires and pointing to the www.checkyourhotspots.com website.

The fact sheet is reproduced below and you can also visit the MFB website www.mfb.org.au

Below are some essential fire safety actions. It is important that all Victorians take note of these messages.

Security
Never deadlock yourself in your home.

• Install deadlocks that you can open from the inside without a key.
• Make sure window security grilles open outward easily from the inside.

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 house.

• Install extra alarms inside bedrooms where doors are shut at night.
• Fire services recommend the installation of photoelectric in preference to ionisation smoke alarms

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.


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, e.g. letterbox. Wait until the fire brigade arrives.
• Phone 000 from the nearest available phone, e.g. neighbour's house.

Shared Accommodation Fire Safety
All parents should ensure that when their children move out into student or shared accommodation they check that the facility has the appropriate occupancy accreditation.

Under the building codes and regulations it is illegal to just change the classification of occupancies of a property; for example, to turn a home into a boarding house without ensuring that the appropriate level of fire protection also changes.