Prevent fires in your home
Thursday, 8th December 2016
Make a Safe Mistake
The CFA and MFB Home Fire Safety Campaign, ‘Safe Mistake Zone’, helps to raise awareness of the small mistakes we make around the house that cause fires.
There are over 3,000 preventable house fires in Victoria each year. Most of these house fires are caused by someone making a mistake – a moment of carelessness, forgetfulness or neglect.
The Safe Mistake Zone Campaign is an innovative and engaging initiative that encourages the community to think about the small mistakes that lead to house fires, and to make a safe mistake instead.
From Monday 30 May, you can visit the new Safe Mistake Zone website to play our fun and interactive safe mistake game, and share your score with your friends and networks! You will also be able to find out how many house fires were in your local area last year, and download useful home fire safety resources.
Remember: small mistakes can cause fires, so don’t run the risk.
Help us to spread this important home fire safety message #safemistake
Prevent fires in your home
Heaters, chimneys, electric blankets and clothes dryers can become a fire risk, particularly if they have been sitting unused for a period of time.
- Book a licensed gas-fitter to check your gas heater
- Check chimneys, flues and fire boxes for cracks, rust and debris
- Check electric blankets for kinks in the wiring
- Clean the lint filter in your dryer (and continue to do this after every use)
- Check appliances for visibly frayed or damaged wiring
- Complete the Home Fire Safety Checklist to see if you’ve done everything you can to protect you and your family.
- Launch the Hotspot House to see how to keep your home safe
Only working smoke alarms save lives
You are 60% less likely to survive a house fire without a working smoke alarm.
When you are asleep you can’t smell smoke. By law, every home must have at least one working smoke alarm – but the safest option is to install an alarm in every room where someone sleeps.
Learn more about smoke alarms, including how to install, test, clean and replace them and their batteries.
Get out, stay out and call Triple Zero (000)
Would your family know what to do if a fire started in your home?
Prepare a home fire escape plan and practice escaping quickly and safely.
Does someone you know need your help?
Think about older relatives, neighbours, friends or adult children who’ve recently moved out of home.
Of people who died in a house fire over the last 10 years:
- More than half did not have a working smoke alarm
- Two thirds were over 65 or had a disability
- Nearly two thirds lived alone
Assist a loved one - check their smoke alarm, prepare an escape plan and complete a home fire safety checklist.
Source: CFA Victoria
