Avoiding House Fires This Winter

Well here we are again, back to the cooler weather after a summer of sweltering heat, teeming rain and repeated flooding. It’s not enough that we have to face these hazards each summer season, but also have to face the possibility of fire hazards each winter due to the use of different types of heaters. There are precautions we can take to minimise the risks of course, but there is more we can do to maximise our chances of surviving in the unfortunate event of our family experiencing the terror of a house fire. Being prepared for any eventuality is the best protection we can have.

All homes, no matter whether they are private or rented out through property management Brisbane, are required by law to have smoke alarms installed. These of course must be checked regularly to make sure the batteries are working, and cleaned to ensure dust does not clog the smoke sensors.  Landlords must ensure they are installed and working correctly at the start of each individual tenancy, or have his property manager take care of the matter for him. The head of each household should ensure that private premises are fully protected by working smoke alarms for the safety of the family.

Having fire extinguishers available in high risk areas of the home, and ensuring all members of the household know how to use them is a good property management Ipswich measure where fire safety is concerned. Fire blankets are also a good thing to have in specific places where each person knows where to access them and family fire drills following planned evacuation routes from the house ups the ante in your favour if a fire does break out. Even small children can be taught these measures and it can be the reason for their life being saved. Choosing heaters wisely where small children live and teaching them to stay away from other heaters at friends place will go a long way towards their safety.

If you are a family who moves from rental to rental, it is a good idea to start all over with fire drills in each new premises, getting the family used to the new layout. The landlord or management will have ensured the smoke alarms are working well, but during the tenancy, unless the landlord has expressed his intention of caring for the matter, you are responsible for cleaning and maintaining them. It is not a hard job, does not take long, and will ensure your family has time to escape in case of fire.