Staying Safe this Winter
According to the NSW Fire Safety website, approximately 56% of all residential fires start in the kitchen. As winter approaches, the higher usage of electrical appliances increases the accidents involving electricity. By taking a few precautions, it is possible to keep your family safe form electrical hazards.
Preventing electrical fires:
• Test smoke alarm batteries every month and replace them once a year –you’re twice as likely to die in a home fire if you don’t have a working smoke alarm
• Do not overload outlets
• Regularly check electrical leads for damage and faults
• Replace any appliances with frayed or worn cords –electrical appliances and faults cause almost 40% of home fires
• Store your electric blanket safely, roll don’t fold
• Before going to bed, turn off all electrical appliances at the power point
• Turn off electrical blankets and heaters when you’re not at home and before getting into bed
• Keep everything one meter away from your heater –the use of heaters are common causes of fires
• If you suspect a fault, have heater serviced or replaced
• Always supervise young children in rooms with open fires or working heaters
• Ensure flues and chimneys are regularly cleaned
• Strong fire screens should be set up in front of open fires
• Never use heat bags in bed
• Clean your clothes dryer lint filter before or after each use
• Ensure there is adequate air flow around your dryer
• Don’t leave the dryer operating when you’re not home
• Keep candles away from curtains with open windows and put them out when you leave the room
• Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children
• Extinguish cigarettes properly before disposal
• Never smoke in bed