Essential Fire Safety Tips for Your Home

Whether you live in a single house or a multi-apartment building, fire safety is a concern for everyone. Accidental fires can be triggered by the smallest of incidents, underscoring the importance of having fire extinguishers in homes across Brisbane to protect yourself and your loved ones. Thus, ensuring adequate fire safety measures in every household has become more paramount now.

In this blog, we look at the most crucial fire safety tips to follow as a precaution.

Cook with Caution

Cooking is a common source of house fires, so one has to be careful. Keep a watchful eye on your stovetop when cooking, especially when using high heat. To further minimise risks:

• Clear the Area: Ensure flammable items like curtains, oil bottles, oven mitts, and paper towels are kept away from the burners.
• Barbecue Safety: When using a barbecue, maintain a safe distance of at least 50 cm from exterior walls, potential flammable materials, and electrical ignition sources. Always turn off the gas bottle after use and check for gas leaks to prevent accidents.

It is also a good idea to have extinguisher installers close to the kitchen area, so fires can be put out immediately in case of emergencies.

Smoke Outdoors

Smoking indoors is not advised. If you smoke, it is best to limit it to outdoor areas. However, if you choose to smoke inside:

• Never leave a lit cigarette unattended.
• Always use large, deep ashtrays with water inside to ensure that cigarette butts are fully extinguished.
• Avoid smoking indoors if you’re feeling sleepy, tired, or intoxicated.
• Lighters and matches should be kept away from children’s reach to prevent accidental fires.

Clean Your Clothes Dryer

Your clothes dryer can become a fire hazard if not properly maintained. To reduce risks, follow these steps:

• Clean the lint filter and the back of the dryer before and after each use to prevent lint buildup, which can ignite.
• Flammable items must be kept at a distance from the dryer area.
• Ensure the venting system is unobstructed.
• Avoid overloading the dryer or attempting to dry items containing flammable materials.

Be Cautious with Using Fireplaces and Fire Pits

Fireplaces and fire pits can create cosy atmospheres but require careful handling to prevent accidents. Here’s how to use them safely:

• Clear Space: Maintain a three-foot safety zone between children, flammable items, and the fire source.
• Extinguish Completely: Before leaving or going to bed, make sure to extinguish fire completely.
• Use Screens: Utilise a fireplace screen to prevent embers from floating out.
• Cleaning: After every fire, clean your firebox. Never dispose of hot coals or ash in a rubbish bin; wait until they are entirely cold.
• Chimney Maintenance: Schedule chimney maintenance once a year to prevent chimney fires.
• No Fuel Accelerants: Never start a fire with fuel, petrol, or kerosene.
• No Throwing Debris: Avoid throwing paper, garbage, or flammable products into the fire pit, as they can emit burning embers and harmful fumes. Keep a bucket of water or a hose nearby for emergencies.

Keep a fire extinguisher at home if you have a fire pit installed on your premises. Contact a fire extinguisher service in Brisbane for regular maintenance to ensure it works in emergencies.

Install Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms are essential for early fire detection. They will raise an alarm that will alert the fire services in Brisbane. Here’s what you need to do:  

• Install smoke alarms on each level of your home, especially inside bedrooms and adjoining corridors.
• Test your smoke alarms monthly and replace any low batteries immediately.
• Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years to ensure their effectiveness.

Purchase Fire Extinguishers

Keeping fire extinguishers in Brisbane homes can help contain small fires before they escalate. To use them effectively:

• Keep one dry powder fire extinguisher in your home at an easy-to-reach location.
• Use a fire extinguisher only in case of a small fire and if you feel physically and mentally able to do so.
• Have your fire extinguishers checked and tested by a fire extinguisher service in Brisbane regularly, and replace them if they are too old.

Conclusion

Fire safety is a critical aspect of keeping your home and family secure. Following these tips and being vigilant can significantly reduce the risk of a house fire. Remember that having a fire extinguisher at home can be hugely helpful in an emergency. 

If you’re looking for a reliable fire extinguisher service in Brisbane, call us on 07 3390 6055 to seek our assistance.