Fire safety tips for the cooler months

Rugby league player, Matt Bowen, shows how to check your smoke alarm

Research shows that in Australia, more fire-related accidents occur between the months of June and September than at any other time of the year.

Faulty appliances and carelessness are major causes of fire in the cooler months. It is very important to take care when using appliances and heating equipment.

Here are just a few fire safety tips from the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service to help protect you during the cooler months:

• Ensure electric blankets and heaters are regularly checked by a qualified tradesperson.
• Always switch off your electric blanket, heater and other heating appliances before going to bed and when leaving your home. It is very dangerous to sleep with an electric blanket turned on.
• Never place a baby on an electric blanket. They can dehydrate and burn their skin, even at very low temperatures.
• Keep any paper, clothing or other flammable material at least one metre away from any heating appliance.
• Only use heaters approved for indoor use inside your home.
• Keep portable electric heaters away from wet areas such as the kitchen and bathroom.

All Housing Services properties have hard-wired smoke alarms which will sound in the event of fire.

Make sure you check your smoke alarm regularly. A smoke alarm advice sticker has been provided on the inside of a cupboard door in your home, usually the linen cupboard. If you have any questions about your smoke alarm, please contact your Housing Services maintenance section on the telephone number provided to you.

For more information about fire safety in your home, visit www.fire.qld.gov.au or call Safehome on 1300 369 003 to book a free home safety visit by local firefighters.