Electrical safety switch

• Know the location of the electrical switchboard for your home.
• Make sure an electrical safety switch is installed by a licensed electrician.
• Test your electrical safety switch every three months. If a test fails, contact a licensed electrician for repairs immediately.
• Get earth leakage circuit breakers installed on all power circuits for additional safety protection.

Gas supply

• Know where the gas isolation valves are located in your home. Undetected leaking gas can form an explosive mixture when combined with air.
• Have all gas appliances serviced regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

If you smell gas

• Put out cigarettes.
• Do not use matches or naked flames.
• Do not operate electrical switches - leave them either on or off.
• Open doors and windows to ventilate the area.
• Check to see if a gas tap has been left on accidentally or if a pilot light has gone out. If not, there is probably a gas leak and you should turn off the supply at the meter and call the gas service.

Don't take chances. Contact a licensed plumber or gasfitter if you suspect a gas leak.

Solar panels

• Solar panels are powered by the sun and other sources of light. They can continue to generate power even if the mains power has been disconnected, or the panels have been turned off at the switchboard.
• Solar power systems can pose an electrical safety risk during emergency incidents, such as flooding and fires. If emergency services personnel attend your property, let them know that solar panels are installed.

Visit the Electrical Safety Office for more information on electrical safety in your home.

• Have the flue installed professionally and insulated from roofing timbers and wall panelling.
• Have the chimney checked and cleaned every year to prevent a build-up of flammable materials and ensure it functions correctly.
• Use a screen with a fireguard on any open fire to protect from burn injuries and flying sparks or embers.
  Never leave a fire unattended.
• Extinguish a fire completely before leaving the house or going to bed.
• Dispose of all fireplace ashes safely. Handle the ashes with metal scoops and metal buckets and soak in water.
• Do not use flammable liquids to start an open fire.
   

Air conditioners and fans

• Have old or heavily used appliances, like air conditioners and fans, checked regularly by a qualified tradesperson.
• Keep appliances clean and free of dust by vacuuming filters regularly. 

Lights and lamps

• Always use the correct bulb size, type, and wattage in lamps, according to manufacturer’s specifications. The incorrect bulb type can overload the internal wiring of the lamp and cause a fire.

• Make sure your street number is easily visible at day and night for emergency services.
• Clear overhanging vegetation from power lines and structures.
• If you live on a rural property, make sure there is:
  • Unrestricted gate access to the property.
  • Room for large vehicles to reverse in (approximately four metres wide)
  • Turning or passing areas for large vehicles.
  • Heavy vehicle access on cattle grids and bridges.
  • Two-wheel drive vehicle access.
  • An alternate way out for vehicles.
  • Water supply suitable for firefighter access such as a tank with a 50mm male camlock fitting with shut off valve or an accessible open water supply such as a dam or pool.

Balconies

• Smokers should use heavy, high-sided ashtrays made of glass, ceramic or metal to prevent them tipping over.
• Always fully extinguish cigarettes.
• Remove clutter from balconies and keep air conditioning units clear of any flammable items.
• Enclose open areas under decks and floors.

Roofs

• Clear gutters and roof of leaves, twigs, bark and other debris. Consider installing metal gutter guards.
• Install steel wire mesh screens on windows, doors, vents, and weep holes.
• Seal gaps in roof and external cladding.

Ceiling insulation

Fires involving ceiling insulation do not start because of the insulation. But insulation can help spread and feed a fire. The most common causes of roof fires include:

• Insulation placed on top of, or too close to halogen down-lights. Halogen lights can reach temperatures of up to 370°C.
• Insulation fitted on top of bathroom heater exhaust fans.
• Insulation fitted too close to a heat source, such as a chimney.
• Roof gaps allowing wind to dislodge light covers or insulation onto heat sources.
• Stretched electrical wiring in the roof space. 

You can help prevent roof fires by making sure insulation is not placed over electrical equipment, electrical cables, and light fittings. If you are concerned about your ceiling insulation, you should:

• Seek advice from the Electrical Safety Office if replacing or modifying your ceiling light fixtures.
• Have an inspection performed by a qualified person, such as an electrician.
• Make sure any gaps in your roof are sealed.
• Maintain clearance around down- lights, bathroom heater exhaust fans, and other heat generating items in your roof space. 

Home security measures, such as deadlocks on doors and windows, may be necessary, however it is important not to let them trap you inside your home in an emergency. If there is a fire in your home, you need to be able to escape as quickly as possible.

• Have one common key for all door locks, or install locks that do not require a key from the inside.
• Keep a spare key where it cannot be seen or reached by intruders. For example, hang it in the middle of the back of a door.
• Choose window security screens that can be opened from the inside.
• When installing security grills on windows, select one that has keyless options on the inside.
• Ensure that any window grill bars/screens readily open outwards from the inside.
• Show all occupants, including overnight visitors, how to escape through security doors or windows if an emergency occurs.

Be prepared to smash a window as a means of escape. Use a solid object to break the window, and clear away jagged glass. Place a blanket over the window frame to protect yourself against cuts.

A home sprinkler system is one way of protecting your home from fire damage. A system can be installed in new builds or retro fitted to existing homes. There are three types of domestic sprinkler systems commonly used for home fire safety:

• Internal sprinklers installed in the ceiling of a home.
• External sprinklers installed on the outside of the roof to protect the building from ember attack during bushfires.
• Externals sprinklers installed on the ground, surrounding the house, to help protect the home from an approaching bushfire.

Internal sprinklers

An internal sprinkler is an automatic tap connected to a pressurised water system. When a fire heats up the sprinkler head it opens and sprays water. It is designed to wet flammable material in close by to help stop the fire spreading. Sprinkler systems can also help reducing heat, smoke, and toxic gas emissions.

Internal domestic sprinklers must be designed to:

• Activate quickly once temperature (57-79°C) is reached.
• Suppress the fire to increase the time for occupants to escape.
• Restrict the fire to the room it starts in.
• Reduce property damage.
• comply with Australian Standard AS 2118.5-2008

Benefits of domestic sprinklers:

• Reduces property damage and potential costs caused by fire or the water used to put out the fire.
• Reduced toxins in the air means less damage to lungs and clearer exit paths.
• Fire remains at a lower temperature reducing the fire severity.
• Reduces the temperature in the house.
• Improves conditions for firefighters searching for occupants and putting out the fire.
• Structural integrity of the building is more likely to remain, meaning residents can return sooner.
• Spread of fire to neighbouring properties is reduced.

External sprinklers

External sprinkler systems are designed to be turned on by the resident to help wet the building exterior, providing protection during a bushfire. This type of system needs to have a sufficient water supply, pipes made of non-combustible materials, and spray heads that can operate effectively during a bushfire.

For more information, see Australian Standard AS 5414:2012 Bushfire water spray systems.

When you live in a multi-home living building or complex such as an Apartment, Town House or Retirement Village, your home could be impacted by a fire starting in a neighbouring home. 

Additional safety tips:

• Make sure barbecues and heaters on balconies are at least one metre away from all objects (including external walls). Turn them off when you’re not using it.
• Know where the fire exits and fire stairs are located.
• Never prop open fire doors.
• Never leave anything in the fire stairs.
• Make and practice a fire escape plan with your household. Decide on a safe meeting place outside away from the building.
• Do not overcrowd. Too many people living in one room increased the risk of fire.

What to do in case of fire:

• Respond immediately. When you are alerted to a fire in the building, escape to your pre-planned safe meeting place.
• Close all windows and doors as you leave, if it’s safe to do so. This will stop smoke entering your apartment.
• Don’t waste time trying to save valuables.
• Stay calm and get everyone out as quickly as possible.
• Don’t use the lift. Use emergency exits or fire stairs that provide a path leading your safe place outside the building.
• Once out, stay out, and call Triple Zero (000). Never go back inside a burning building.

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