SMOKE ALARMS: WHAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW

According to the Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board (MFB), you are four times more likely to die in a fire if your home doesn’t have a smoke alarm.

A fire safety survey has found 38% of Victorian/Tasmanian family homes have only one smoke alarm installed and 28% sometimes disconnect their smoke alarm. Further to this:  

• Overall, 38 per cent of Victorian/Tasmanian family homes have only one smoke alarm installed.
• Almost half of all Australian rented properties (46 per cent) have only one smoke alarm installed;
• Only 54 per cent of Victorian/Tasmanian households surveyed replace smoke alarm batteries every 12 months, as recommended by Australian fire services;
• Only 31 per cent of Victorian/Tasmanian households know how to test the smoke alarm  properly (by pressing the button until the siren sounds); and
• 39 per cent of Victorian/Tasmanian households change smoke alarm batteries on a specific date each year
• More than 70 per cent admit to accidentally leaving a cooking appliance on after preparing a family meal and not realising it until sometime later – a leading cause of house fires;
• More than half (54 per cent) admit to doing other things while cooking most days, with the majority (96 per cent) multi-tasking at least once a week while cooking; and
• The most popular activities while cooking include putting a load of washing on (77 per cent), making phone calls (68 per cent), hanging out or bringing in the washing (67 per cent), or using a computer in another room (55 per cent).

         - Courtesy of MFB

Installing a smoke alarm is the first step. Placement is just as critical. Ensure the devices are installed in the pathways used to evacuate. For multi storey homes, ensure at least one smoke alarm is functional per floor. If you prefer to sleep with your bedroom door shut it’s best to install an alarm within the room.

Also, be sure to test your smoke alarms twice a year at the beginning and end of daylight saving, as a habitual practice in your household. Victoria has seen more than its share of fire related disasters so keep safe this summer and get your smoke alarms installed, ready to go today!