Safety First: How to Avoid a House Fire in Winter
Identify and block potential fire dangers in your home and you're guaranteed to stay safe and warm during the winter months
Many years ago, when I was in living in a share house at university, I was in a house fire. One of the other girls left her light on very close to a sheet she was using to separate her half of the room from her room mate. She fell asleep and the light eventually set fire to the sheet, which in turn ignited just about everything in the room, and then the whole house. Luckily, we had several smoke detectors and we all made it out alive. I’ve been terrified of fire ever since. Not only was our escape traumatic, but it was the early ’90s and I lost a beautiful pair of torn overalls and my favourite Dr Martens.
There are over 10,000 house fires in Australia each year. According to Fire & Rescue NSW, 43 per cent of all fatalities from home fires occur in winter. This alarming statistic makes winter a dangerous season – there are log fires, electric blankets, power outlets and heaters, to name just a few of the elements that could pose potential risk. The key to minimising these threats and surviving a house fire, if it should occur, is being prepared. Every home should have a written escape plan and practise it regularly – and all family members should know two safe ways out of every room in your home. Homeowners should also go through their homes room by room to make sure risks are minimised.
There are over 10,000 house fires in Australia each year. According to Fire & Rescue NSW, 43 per cent of all fatalities from home fires occur in winter. This alarming statistic makes winter a dangerous season – there are log fires, electric blankets, power outlets and heaters, to name just a few of the elements that could pose potential risk. The key to minimising these threats and surviving a house fire, if it should occur, is being prepared. Every home should have a written escape plan and practise it regularly – and all family members should know two safe ways out of every room in your home. Homeowners should also go through their homes room by room to make sure risks are minimised.
If a fire does start on the cooktop, remember that water doesn’t put out a fat or oil fire. The first thing to do is use a lid to smother the fire. If this doesn’t work, or you aren’t quick enough to get there before it spreads, it’s handy to have a small extinguisher or a fire blanket in, or near, the kitchen. All homes must have a smoke alarm and regular tests should be taken to make sure these alarms are in good working order.
The living room
If using an open fireplace, always use a safety screen to prevent embers from escaping and starting a fire. There are many different types of screens to choose from, but if you have small children in the house, make sure that it attaches securely to a wall or the fireplace to keep the children at a safe distance. Furthermore, always keep combustibles away from the fireplace. In fact, you should never leave anything flammable, such as curtains, clothing, bedding or children’s toys, within 1 metre of a heater.
To service an open fireplace, you need to schedule yearly maintenance checks and make sure that these include having the chimney swept clean.
If you are using a portable heater, ensure that it has an automatic safety switch that will turn off the heater if it is tipped. It’s also wise to keep it away from heavy traffic areas or wet areas, and always turn it off when you go to bed.
If using an open fireplace, always use a safety screen to prevent embers from escaping and starting a fire. There are many different types of screens to choose from, but if you have small children in the house, make sure that it attaches securely to a wall or the fireplace to keep the children at a safe distance. Furthermore, always keep combustibles away from the fireplace. In fact, you should never leave anything flammable, such as curtains, clothing, bedding or children’s toys, within 1 metre of a heater.
To service an open fireplace, you need to schedule yearly maintenance checks and make sure that these include having the chimney swept clean.
If you are using a portable heater, ensure that it has an automatic safety switch that will turn off the heater if it is tipped. It’s also wise to keep it away from heavy traffic areas or wet areas, and always turn it off when you go to bed.
Gas fireplaces produce a lot of carbon monoxide and have been linked to respiratory problems for people who suffer from asthma. In extreme circumstances, they can even be deadly. It is very important to have gas fireplaces professionally installed and to keep carbon monoxide detectors in good working order. If possible, it is best to have a vented gas fireplace, but if not, make sure your fireplace comes with an oxygen depletion sensor that will shut down if it detects too much carbon monoxide.
The bedroom
Everyone wants a warm and snuggly bedroom to get us through the winter months. Open fireplaces and gas heaters pose similar threats to those in the living room, but they can be magnified in the bedroom because there is often less ventilation.
A young couple recently died from carbon monoxide poisoning in the Blue Mountains in NSW. They spent the night in a converted shipping container with the windows closed and a wood burning stove. Similarly, in 2010, a Victorian woman lost her two children as they slept. They died from carbon monoxide poisoning from an unserviced gas heater.
Everyone wants a warm and snuggly bedroom to get us through the winter months. Open fireplaces and gas heaters pose similar threats to those in the living room, but they can be magnified in the bedroom because there is often less ventilation.
A young couple recently died from carbon monoxide poisoning in the Blue Mountains in NSW. They spent the night in a converted shipping container with the windows closed and a wood burning stove. Similarly, in 2010, a Victorian woman lost her two children as they slept. They died from carbon monoxide poisoning from an unserviced gas heater.
Carbon monoxide has no smell or taste and it is invisible – thus very dangerous. It’s best not to sleep with any heaters on in the bedroom. If you must, make sure the room is well-ventilated, that you service heating appliances regularly and that you install a carbon monoxide alarm.
Before you go to bed, ensure that you put out all fires in any room of your house and always turn off electric blankets before you fall asleep. It’s also important that you check electric blankets for damage or frayed cords. If you have been burning candles, make sure they are all snuffed out before you sleep, and never ever smoke in the bedroom.
Before you go to bed, ensure that you put out all fires in any room of your house and always turn off electric blankets before you fall asleep. It’s also important that you check electric blankets for damage or frayed cords. If you have been burning candles, make sure they are all snuffed out before you sleep, and never ever smoke in the bedroom.
The laundry
The laundry is a bit safer than other rooms in the house – phew! But don’t relax too much just yet. There are still a few precautions to ensure your laundry is safe. That starts with checking electrical appliances for damage or excessive wear. There are many appliances in this room, so it’s also vital not to overload power boards and equally important to install electrical safety switches.
The tumble dryer needs particular attention as it gets more work in the winter months. An overloaded engine can become faulty and start fires. As such, clean the lint filter after each use and don’t leave the dryer on when you leave the house. The laundry can be a great place to store matches away from fireplaces and out of children’s reach, too.
The laundry is a bit safer than other rooms in the house – phew! But don’t relax too much just yet. There are still a few precautions to ensure your laundry is safe. That starts with checking electrical appliances for damage or excessive wear. There are many appliances in this room, so it’s also vital not to overload power boards and equally important to install electrical safety switches.
The tumble dryer needs particular attention as it gets more work in the winter months. An overloaded engine can become faulty and start fires. As such, clean the lint filter after each use and don’t leave the dryer on when you leave the house. The laundry can be a great place to store matches away from fireplaces and out of children’s reach, too.
Outside
With the growing popularity of fire pits in Australia, this is an area for special attention. Each state and local government has different regulations for open fires outside, and they generally vary according to the weather and fire ratings. It’s important to check with your local council before you light a fire outside. You must never light a fire during a total fire ban.
Essential guide to fire pits
TELL US
What kind of fire safety precautions do you have in your home? Tell us about them in the Comments section.
MORE
Unglamorous (but Essential) Jobs to Keep Your Winter Home Ticking Over
Winter Warm-Up: 10 DIY Tasks to Keep the Home Fires Burning
Red Alert: 10 Ways to Get Bushfire-Ready
With the growing popularity of fire pits in Australia, this is an area for special attention. Each state and local government has different regulations for open fires outside, and they generally vary according to the weather and fire ratings. It’s important to check with your local council before you light a fire outside. You must never light a fire during a total fire ban.
Essential guide to fire pits
TELL US
What kind of fire safety precautions do you have in your home? Tell us about them in the Comments section.
MORE
Unglamorous (but Essential) Jobs to Keep Your Winter Home Ticking Over
Winter Warm-Up: 10 DIY Tasks to Keep the Home Fires Burning
Red Alert: 10 Ways to Get Bushfire-Ready
According to Fire & Rescue NSW, one half of all home fires start in the kitchen, so if there is an area in your home that you should pay special attention to, this is it. To prevent fires, you need to have a clear cooking area that is free of combustibles.
Remember that old advertisement where a woman leaves a pot of boiling oil and chips on the stove while she answers the phone? She screams, “Oh my goodness, the chips!” as a huge fire engulfs her kitchen. The moral of that story is to never leave the cooktop unattended. Similarly, don’t let children cook without supervision.