Today is the first day of winter and it is also the busiest time of year for house fires with the likelihood of residential fires increasing by around 20 per cent.
Acting Chief Officer Garry Cook is reminding Victorians to perform safety checks to stay safe in their home this winter.
“Preventable house fires are everyone’s responsibility and it’s important that we are all aware of the dangers that can occur in our homes” he said.
It’s essential to know that smoke alarms more than 10 years old should be replaced as they may become unreliable. CFA recommends photo-electric smoke alarms powered by a 10 year lithium battery. When installed and maintained correctly these smoke alarms detect smoke the quickest, alerting you earlier and giving you more time to evacuate to safety.
Fires can occur at any time, but the personal risk is greatest at night when we are asleep. When we sleep we can lose our sense of smell.
Using heating to dry clothes is common during winter, so keep clothing a safe distance from heaters and always clean the lint filters in clothes dryers. Always turn off electrical appliances that are not being used and avoid placing weighty objects on beds with electric blankets.
Acting Chief Officer Cook also reminded people to take care when cooking in the kitchen, as this is the single largest cause of fire in the home.
“Always stay close to the stove when you’re cooking and turn off the elements once finished will reduce the chance of a fire caused by cooking.”
“If you are heading away for a long weekend, or for a longer break during the school holidays, make sure to turn off power to electrical appliances and let a neighbour know you are away” he said.
Check out CFA’s complete home fire safety check list here