Is your home FireSmart this Summer?

Everyone knows the devastation that a fire can cause, whether it’s from a faulty appliance, accident at home, or from a destructive bushfire. The warm and dry weather pose serious threats for bushfires in more rural and less established areas than that of Wyndham, however house fires can be just as damaging. Below we have included some things for you to consider as recommended by the CFA which will help keep your home and family safe this summer.

SMOKE ALARMS
Test monthly, clean and replace batteries yearly, and replace the whole smoke alarm every 10 years
One outside all sleeping areas, and in bedrooms where people sleep with the door closed.

KITCHEN
Never leave cooking unattended
Keep combustibles such as tea towels and curtains away from cooking and heat sources
Keep pot handles turned in
Keep grills, fans and cooking surfaces free of grease residue

LAUNDRY
Clean the lint filter on your clothes dryer after each load
Let the dryer complete its cool-down cycle before stopping

BEDROOM
Never smoke in bed
Don’t leave laptops on bed

FRONT DOOR
Never deadlock doors when you’re at home. If you must use the deadlock, leave the keys in the lock
Develop and practise your home fire escape plan – have two ways to escape each room and a designated safe meeting point outside your home, e.g. letterbox

OUTSIDE
Clean chimneys and flues yearly
Keep roof gutters free of debris

KEY THINGS TO REMEMBER…
Supervise children near heating equipment
Turn off electrical appliances at the power point when not in use
Keep electrical appliances and equipment in good working order
Replace damaged equipment, e.g. power cords
Don’t overload power boards
Have and know how to use your fire blanket and extinguisher

For more information about how to protect your home and family from a fire, please head to either the CFA or MFB websites below. Stay safe over summer and enjoy the weather!
https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare
http://www.mfb.vic.gov.au/Community/Home-Safety/SmokeAlarms.html