As the winter chill sets in, the risk of fire increases – and research shows that more people die in house fires between June and September than any other time of the year.
But you can reduce the risk to you and your loved ones by learning a bit about home fire risks and prevention.
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Why are there more domestic fires during winter?
With the arrival of cooler weather, appliances such as electric blankets and heaters get pulled out of storage and plugged in around many Queensland homes.
These common appliances, as well as clothes dryers, fireplaces and braziers help keep us comfortable through the cold months of winter, but misuse, faulty wiring and leaving them unattended can lead to preventable fires and potential tragedy.
Who is at risk?
Some people in our communities are at more risk of dying in a house fire at any time of the year, including:
- People aged 65 years and over;
- Children aged between zero and five years;
- People not in the workforce;
- People living in rental properties; and
- Adults affected by alcohol.
However, everyone’s risk increases over the winter months and extra care and precautions need to be taken.
What can you do to reduce your risk?
With research showing that more people die in house fires during the winter months than any other time of the year, it is important to protect yourself - so the start of the chilly season is the ideal time to install and maintain smoke alarms. QFRS recommends installing photo-electric type alarms and changing batteries at least once a year. Set a key date such as a birthday or anniversary, as a reminder to change your smoke alarm batteries.
Security bars and screen doors can block your escape in a fire. You need smoke alarms and a home escape plan to ensure you don’t get trapped by your home security.
Simple steps such as developing a escape plan and keeping smoke alarms in working order can give you the vital seconds you need to survive a fire. Don’t have a home fire escape plan? We can help. Book a FREE Safehome visit with Queensland firefighters here.
Firefighters also recommend that you adopt some simple safety habits such as:
- Turning electric blankets off before getting into bed;
- Ensuring appliances are turned off at the wall and home fires extinguished when not in use;
- Getting your appliances checked for frayed and damaged cords by a licensed electrician;
- Keeping clothing at least one metre away from heaters when drying inside;
- When using a clothes dryer, make sure the lint filter is cleaned out after every cycle. Remember to clean behind the dryer and the exhaust port at least every 6 months
Winter Preparations for Bushfire
Queensland’s firefighters are urging residents to take advantage of the cooler weather, and to prepare their properties for the bushfire season.
Are you Bushfire Prepared? Residents need to be aware of the risks and responsibilities of living in grass and bushfire-prone areas.
Every year we see many communities, particularly those in rural-residential and urban fringe areas threatened by fire – and people living in these areas need to prepare themselves now for this year’s bushfire season.
By reducing potential fuel during the cooler months – either through burning off, or cutting back overgrown vegetation, householders can reduce the risk to their property during high fire danger periods.
Good housekeeping reduces the threat to homes, and this includes clearing scrub and undergrowth from around the property, trimming grassed areas right back, keeping them well watered, and making sure gutters are clear of leaves and rubbish.
Firefighters also ask you to lend a hand to neighbours who are unable to clear their own land, and encourage communities to work together to reduce their risk.
Remember, during the bushfire season, your neighbour’s problem could very quickly become your problem.
Preventative measures include:
- Clearing scrub and undergrowth around homes - they are potential fuel for a fire;
- Keeping grassed areas well trimmed and watered;
- Clearing firebreaks around homes in rural or rural fringe areas.
Landholders must contact their local fire warden or fire station for a Permit to Light Fire if they want to light an open fire larger than 2 metres.
QFRS offers FREE bushfire safety advice through its Bushfire Prepared Communities program. The program offers comprehensive advice regarding the principles of: prepare to stay & defend or go early, including a mini DVD and check lists so you can ensure your home and land is bush fire prepared. To order a Bushfire Prepared Communities package call 1300 069 003.
For more information visit the Rural Fire Service website at www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au
Last updated 13 July 2009
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