Fire Safety spring clean

It's spring! Time to clean out the cobwebs and beat those rugs. It's also an excellent time to check your home's fire safety procedure. Have you changed your smoke alarm batteries this year? Do all you childern know what to do in the event of a fire?

Dave Hipkins, National Technical Manager at Wormald gives us a few points to ensure we are protected and prepapred in the event of a fire. 

He says “Only working smoke alarms save lives. Every home should have working smoke alarms in place for early detection of a fire and to help limit any damage caused by a fire. It is also important to minimise fire risks around the house. Running a simple audit on your home to identify and reduce risks can help to reduce the chance of fire.” 

Spring Cleaning - Fire Safety Checklist

• Clean smoke alarms every 6 months using a vacuum to remove any dust build up that can hinder a smoke alarm’s ability to function properly.
   
• Test smoke alarms every month to ensure they are working correctly and change the batteries every 12 months.  
  
  
• Ensure any children in the home know what the smoke alarm sounds like and they know what to do if they hear it.  
  
  
• Most house fires start in the kitchen therefore storing a fire blanket close is recommended - remember never throw water over an oil or fat fire as this will make it worse!  Instead, use a fire blanket to smother the flames.
  
  
• Check power sockets and power boards are not being overloaded and that the cords are not frayed or damaged
  
  
• Check the barbecue gas cylinders are in good working order, the hoses are working and there is no rust present in preparation for an increase in outdoor entertaining. 
  
  
• Clean the clothes dryer and remove any lint build up from the filter as lint build up can cause the dryer to overheat and cause a fire.
  
  
• Devise a fire escape plan with your family and practice emergency exit drills regularly.  This can be an ideal way to engage children in the home fire safety discussion.
  
  
• Equip your home with appropriate fire extinguishers and fire blankets and place them in accessible locations.  Ensure householders know where the equipment is located and how to use it so they are ready to act in the event of a fire. 

A fire safety kit from Wormald (RRP$60) can help protect homes from fire. Each fire safety kit includes a 1kg ABE fire extinguishers, photoelectric smoke alarm and fire blanket.