Research has shown that, two out of three home fires start in kitchens.
Usually women discover fires at home and have to deal with them.
SMOKE DETECTORS
A simple smoke detector can help prevent tragedy.
Many Australians are killed or injured annually in domestic fires caused by
kitchen accidents, electrical faults, smoking in bed or children playing with
matches. Most fire related deaths occur from fires at night, when people are
asleep and cannot smell the smoke. Often they are suffocated by smoke and fumes
before the flames reach them. Smoke Detectors sense the smoke and sound an
alarm, giving you valuable extra time to reach safety.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
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Most home fire fatalities occur between 10pm and 6am when people are
asleep, but that doesn't mean you have to be caught unprepared. At the very
least, be sure you have smoke detectors that work.
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Install them on each level of your home or apartment. Place a detector in
the hallway outside each bedroom and at the top of open stairways. Clean the
alarms and test them regularly. Replace batteries at least once a year.
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It's important to have a fire emergency-exit plan and that you rehearse
evacuation procedures with the people you live with.
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Include alternate escape routes from every room that you can use if the
main exit is blocked. Equip second-floor rooms with chain ladders.
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Equally important, designate an outdoor meeting place for everyone who
lives in the house.
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Never re-enter a house once you've evacuated to safety, call the fire
department from a neighbour's house.
WHERE TO INSTALL YOUR SMOKE DETECTORS
 Basic Protection: Detectors should be located on every level of a
home. If family members smoke in bed, or sleep with the bedroom door closed, or
use electrical appliances (such as electric blankets), it is better to install
detectors in each bedroom.
Best Protection: Install detectors in every room except bathroom,
laundry and garage.
Ideally, they should be positioned between sleeping areas and the most likely
sources of fire ie. the living room or kitchen. They should be attached to
ceilings, near the centre, but at least 30cm (12 inches) away from light
fittings.
PREVENTION
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Keep matches out of reach of children
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Never smoke in bed.
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Use fireguards in front of open log fires
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Allow plenty of space around heaters
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Do not run too many electric appliances off the one power socket
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Replace or repair worn electrical cables
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Store flammable liquids in a safe place
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Never leave a heated chip-pan unattended
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Do not let rubbish accumulate around the house - it provides fuel for
fires
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Keep a fire extinguisher or fire blanket in the kitchen where 2 out of 3
home fires start.
EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
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What to do if the alarm goes off:
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Locate the fire and close the doors to that area. This assists in delaying
the spread of fire
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Test any closed door for temperature before opening - if it feels warm, do
not open
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When the alarm sounds, get everyone out of the house immediately
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Meet other members of your household at your pre-determined spot, and call
the Fire Brigade
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Stay out of the house until the Fire Brigade has extinguished the fire and
tells you it is safe to return
FIRE PROTECTION PRODUCTS
Every year people die or are injured in domestic fires. Statistics show that
every person will be involved in a home fire some time in their life. It makes
sense to install smoke detectors and have a Fire Blanket, Fire Extinguisher and
Rechargeable Torch on hand to help you reduce the risk of injury or death.
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