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Victoria’s fire services are calling on households to develop or review their Home Fire Escape Plans.
Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) and CFA respond to more than 3,000 residential fire incidents across the state each year, many of which are preventable.
House fires move fast and can fill your home with smoke in a matter of minutes. They can be devastating and fatal. While the dangers of fire are very real, there is a lot you can do to protect your family and your home.
Fire Rescue Commissioner Gavin Freeman, AFSM said that families and households spending time at home this weekend should take the opportunity to make a plan together, practice it, and ensure they are well prepared.
“During winter, we spend much more time inside, out of the cold, so it’s important to establish or revisit your Home Fire Escape Plan,” Commissioner Freeman said.
“Nobody wants to think about a fire in the home, but sadly in Victoria every year, on average 18 lives are lost in preventable house fires.”
“Knowing how to quickly exit your home in case of an emergency could mean the difference between life and death, and it is crucial that all members of the household, including children, know what to do in the event of a house fire.”
CFA Chief Fire Officer Jason Heffernan said winter is a good time for Victorian residents to re-educate themselves on their Home Fire Escape Plan.
“Whether you are a homeowner or renting, you should have a plan in place and practice it regularly, deciding on a safe place to meet, like the letterbox, should an emergency arise,” CO Heffernan said.
“To keep your loved ones safe, it is essential smoke alarms are installed in all bedrooms, living areas and hallways so everyone in the property is alerted to a fire.”
“The safest plan is to get down low to stay out of the smoke, close nearby doors to slow down the spread of the fire, and call triple zero once you’re safely outside.”
For more information on how to make a Home Fire Escape Plan, visit frv.vic.gov.au or cfa.vic.gov.au.
When making your Home Fire Escape Plan, remember:
- Know what to do if a fire occurs. Whether you are a homeowner or renter, you should have a home fire escape plan in place.
- Practice your plan for when there is an emergency with your whole household.
- You can’t escape if you have deadlocked your doors.
- Tips for when there is a fire:
- Get out and stay out or get down low and stay out of the smoke.
- If it is safe, close doors to slow down the spread of fire and smoke.
- Alert other people on your way out.
- Meet at a safe place, such as the letterbox out the front of your home.
- Call triple zero from a mobile phone or a neighbour’s phone.