Five ways to stay fire safe

During the festive season, people tend to let their hair down and relax. However, one area where it is important to remain vigilant is with home fire safety.

“Many people associate winter as the key season for residential fires, but fires in the home can occur at any time throughout the year. In summer there are plenty of hazards to be aware of, particularly when it comes to Christmas trees, decorative lights, candles, excited kids and pets, and overworked power boards,” Stuart Edgley, Managing Director of fire safety technology makers Emerald, said.

“Not only can the hot and dry summer weather provide ideal conditions for fires to start, but people can also be away from their homes on holidays, or leaving pets at home alone more frequently due to busier than usual social schedules. So it’s important to be prepared – be aware of fire dangers in the home and make sure you’re protected if something goes wrong.”

The majority of fires begin in the kitchen, sleeping areas and lounge area of a home, with the most common causes being heat sources and electrical short circuits.

Mr Edgley said “any device that generates heat is a potential fire hazard”, with electrical appliances and faults responsible for almost 40 per cent of house fires.

Tips on staying fire safe include installing a smoke alarm and testing it monthly, having 24/7 visibility of the alarm via a Wi-Fi gateway, only using decorative lights with an Australian Standards label, never leaving cooking unattended, and never overloading power boards.