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Home Insurance
16 Jul 2015

Home fire safety for winter

With the drop in temperatures, keeping your home safe from fire in winter can sound like an easy task. However, did you know that 43% of all fire fatalities occur during winter? Not only that, almost half of all house fires are caused by  everyday activities – proving that fire safety should be a priority in your home all year round. We’ve compiled a list of tips to help safeguard you during the cooler months.
 

Check your smoke alarms

Changing the battery and cleaning the alarm regularly is the most effective way to protect your family and home from fire danger.

If you are renting, in most cases it is your responsibility to clean, test and replace batteries while it is the landlord’s responsibility to supply and install a working smoke alarm. Failure to do so might jeopardise their building insurance.
 

Conduct a home fire safety audit

Taking stock of the current fire dangers in your home with a fire safety audit will help you minimise risk and put plans in place for what to do in the event of a fire. When conducting an audit, you’ll need to look inside and outside the house and not just problem areas. Remember, never leave cooking unattended, note when electric blankets will be left on overnight, clean the lint out of the clothes dryer, and to be wary when burning incense or candles. Make sure your family is aware of potential fire risks within the home and what to do in the event of a fire.
 

Testing your heating equipment

If you haven’t used your electric blankets in the last six months it will be worth testing them before leaving them to warm the beds for long periods of time. Things to be wary of are signs of wear and tear and loose plug connections. If the electric blanket is physically fine test it by laying it flat on top of the bed first to ensure that it is heating up correctly. If you have any doubt over the safety of the electric blanket, don’t risk it, as they can be a potential shock and fire hazard.

Your oil and gas heaters may also be due for a maintenance check.  A regular maintenance check will ensure that they are in good condition, efficient and safe. Heaters that aren’t maintained are not only a fire hazard, they make for a costly energy bill, too!
 

Have a fire safety plan

While prevention is the best way to avoid a fire, having a plan in place will allow you to act quickly in the event of an emergency. Keep fire extinguishers and fire blankets within easy, such as beside the stove or oven in the kitchen.  It is also important to talk to your family about fire/ hazard risks and what to do in the event of a fire, such as staying low to the ground and organising a safe place to regroup outside the property.
These tips will help you and your family to be fire safe around your home. And the number one household activity that causes house fires?  Cooking.

Benefits are subject to the terms and conditions including the limits and exclusions of the insurance policy. Any advice provided is general only and may not be right for you. Before you purchase this product you should carefully read the Home Insurance Product Disclosure Statement and consider the Target Market Determination to decide if it is right for you.