Stay safe in your home this Summer and throughout 2013. Every year there are around 11,000 house fires and sadly, many people continue to lose their lives instead of taking some simple precautions.
Your Home
- Test that smoke alarms are working
- Be alert when cooking and never leave food unattended
- Never leave candles or incense to burn unattended
- Never leave children unattended with candles, matches, or lighters
- Have a locked cupboard for combustible materials and dangerous tools
- Don’t overload electrical circuits with too many appliances
- Develop and practice an escape plan with household members
- Know what to do if a person’s clothing catches on fire; Stop, Drop, Cover & Roll.
- Get rid of items cluttering your home which no longer have any use: old documents, newspapers, clothing, furniture, appliances and rubbish. When these items block exits and narrow hallways, they block escape for the occupant and access for fire fighters.
Your Garden
- Cut long grass
- Regularly rake up leaves, bark and twigs
- Clear any dead branches and undergrowth near your home
- Prune lower tree branches
- Keep mulch and woodpiles away from walls
- Carefully place any flammable matter including boxes, cartons, and paper in trash can
- Remove any timber and old junk lying around
Share the Work
As a tenant, you are responsible for maintaining the property (including the garden) to a level that meets general street and community standards. It is your obligation to ensure that the property is fire safe, inside and out.
To get ready for the summer months, why not invite your friends, family and neighbors over for a busy bee? Work is always quicker, easier and more fun with more people involved!
Don’t gamble with your lives. With a little preparation, it’s easy to help prevent your home from going up in flames.
