There are approximately 1,200 house fires a year in Australia. The good news is not all of these are fatal. In many cases, the difference between life and death is a working smoke alarm.
You may be surprised to realize fire is not the most deadly part of a house fire. You can see and feel a fire, helping you to take evasive action whenever possible.
By blocking your lungs you’ll be unable to get the oxygen you need for survival and will die from smoke inhalation. Your smoke alarm is your first line of defense and that’s why experts recommend you test your smoke alarms at least once a month.
When the smoke from a fire hits the smoke alarm it immediately sets off a high-pitched piercing noise. You’ll hear it even if you’re fast asleep. This noise doesn’t just wake you. It gives you time to find an escape route before the smoke or fire reaches you.
Of course, you should have already devised an escape route that will get you out of your home if there is a fire. That means all you have to do is follow your plan and get to the agreed meeting point.
Don’t forget, when a fire alarm goes off you don’t stop to get possessions, you need to get out of the house fast. If smoke is present then stay low to help you breathe good quality air.
Installing Smoke Alarms
You need at least one smoke alarm on each level of your home. It’s recommended you have one in every bedroom and one in the hallway of each level.
However, if you just want one on a level then place it in the hallway. This is the biggest space and most likely to be affected by smoke first.
Smoke alarms should always be fitted to ceilings as smoke rises rapidly. You want as much notice as possible.
New technology allows you to install interconnect wireless smoke alarms. That means if one goes off they all will, making sure you’re alerted to the danger no matter where it started in your home.
Additional Precautions
It’s a good idea to look at extra fire precautions such as fire curtains. These can buy you valuable time in a fire by containing the fire in a designated area. Most fires start in the kitchen or at the fusebox, these are good spots to use fire curtains as this will delay the progress of a blaze.
Just remember to include an interconnected fire alarm within the fire curtained area, you can use the time the extra protection buys you. Fire extinguishers and blankets are also useful in your home.
However, while tackling a small fire is a good idea, remember fires spread very quickly. If you’re not sure then it’s better to get the professionals to handle it for you.
Here are three fire drill activities to do with your children.
