Ensuring that your home is as safe from fire as possible is an essential step in keeping your family safe. If you are a business owner, reducing fire risk at your premises is essential for employee safety and for the security of your stock and business.

Insurance

Many insurance policies dictate what steps you need to take in both your home or your business, to be covered by insurance in the case of fire. These steps are usually basic ones including things like smoke detectors and properly storing and labelling chemicals.

Sensible Approach

As a property owner or tenant you need to be aware that no matter what steps you take, there is always a chance of fire and you need to ensure that exits are always kept accessible and operational and that evacuation procedures are in place.

Ways to reduce risk of fire

• Smoke Detectors – they may not prevent fire but early detection of a fire may should reduce damage and may save lives.
• Smoking – never smoke in bed or while dozing on the couch. Ensure ashtrays don’t overflow and keep paper away from them.
• Clothes Dryers – ensure you clear the lint filter every time you use your clothes dryer.
• Power Points – don’t overload your power points or power boards.
• Heaters – in winter ensure that you use safe heating methods and don’t dry clothes on heaters.
• Matches – keep matches and lighters away from children. Kids and matches start a lot of fires.
• Stove Tops – keep tea towels and hand towels away from stove tops. Never leave a boiling saucepan unattended.
• BBQs – even though they are outside, BBQs are a common source of housefires. Keep your BBQ safe and maintain your gas bottle.
• Wiring – ensure your house’s wiring is in good condition. Domestic wiring needs to be checked and replaced if faulty.
• Bushfires – if you live in bushfire prone area make sure you follow all bushfire guidelines and maintenance levels.

Advice

Every state has a fire authority that can give ample advice and information on fire safety. Much of this information will be avaialable from their websites. If you live in a bushfire prone area seek advice from your local city or shire council as well, there should be a bushfire plan in place.

One of the easiest ways to avoid fires is to always use appliances only for the purpose that they were manufactured and to always follows the guidelines set out by the manufacturer in the instruction manual.