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KEEP your home and family safe, and stay warm with these easy fire prevention tips
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QUESTION: Now that the weather is really cold, we’re trying to keep warm any way we can. Is it OK to run old heaters and electric blankets if you haven’t used them in a while?
ANSWER: The short answer is no. Superintendent operational media co-ordinator, Fire & Rescue NSW Norman Buckley(pictured) says you should always give any heating device the once over before you plug it in and start using it.
“If you are pulling the electric blanket out after eight months (in the cupboard) and it looks a bit frayed, don’t turn it on,” Norman says. “Have a qualified electrician look at it or buy a new one.”
SMALL AND SIMPLE
Norman says there is an increase in house fires over the winter period because we’re all spending more time at home with the heater or the fire going — and that can result in some dangerous outcomes.
But he says with a little thought, you can stay warm without risking your safety.
“There are some simple steps that can save your life and your property,” says Norman.
“Keep a metre from the heater — don’t put anything on the heater such as warming up your PJs. If you are in the room and you have electrical appliances and heaters on, turn them off when you leave.”
Cooking at home also tends to be more popular over winter but Norman says it’s important to keep your mind on the job.
“We see a spike in kitchen fires at this time of year,” he says. “I like to say ‘keep looking while you’re cooking’.”
He says if you have to leave the kitchen, you should turn the hotplates or the gas off.
“And never cook under the influence of alcohol,” he says.
Sometimes in an effort to keep warm we’re tempted to use whatever is handy.
Norman says you should use an appliance only for its intended purpose.
“A lot of people use (wheat) heat packs to heat their beds but they’re not designed for that,” he says. “There have been cases where they have started to smoulder.”
The same goes for heated throw rugs, which shouldn’t be used as a substitute for an electric blanket on your bed.
ARMED WITH ALARMS
If you haven’t already done so, now is the time to ensure your smoke alarms are in good working order.
Fire & Safety NSW suggests testing your alarms once a month by pressing down the test button for five seconds until you hear beeps. Vacuum them every six months to keep them free of dust and replace the battery every year.
“We recommend them for every bedroom and the hallway as well,” says Norman.
“If you can have them interconnected, that’s even better.
“In a large house, you might have a fire in the laundry, but if you have interconnected alarms, you’ll hear it in the bedroom as well.”
More:fire.nsw.gov.au