• Skip to main content

Click here to learn more about our COVID-19 (Coronavirus) action plan.

  • Help Centre
  • Resources
  • Work with us
  • Services
    • All services
    • Smoke alarm safety
    • Gas safety
    • Electrical safety
    • Corded blind safety
    • Water efficiency
    • Essential fire safety
  • Offers
    • VIC Safer Home plan
    • QLD Smoke Alarm Upgrade Offer
  • Solutions
    • Property managers
    • Landlords
    • Homeowners
    • Building managers
  • About us
    • Our Technology Difference
    • Our Story
    • Our Team
    • Testimonials
    • Contact Us
1300 134 563
Get in touch
1300 134 563
Get in touch
Home — Resources — Be safe, not sorry – 3 tips to keep your home safer during the cooler months
Back to resources
News

Be safe, not sorry – 3 tips to keep your home safer during the cooler months

13 June 2022
Safer Home Package
Data from Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) and Country Fire Authority (CFA) reveals autumn and winter are the highest risk periods for residential fires in Victoria with a 15% increase over the rest of the year. Here are some handy tips to make sure family's safe during the cooler months.

It may seem counterintuitive, as we often associate fire with the dry heat of the Aussie summer, but it is the cooler months where residential house fires are at their most common and therefore most dangerous.

In the midst of winter, now is an as good time as ever to consider your fire-safe practices within your home.

Here are some key tips.

1. Plan and practise your home fire escape plan

It may seem trivial but with the smell of smoke and a beeping alarm, it is easy for chaos. It is imperative that your household members are on the same page for a fire escape.

As part of your plan:

  • Find and record two ways out of every room
  • Agree on a meeting place (like a letterbox)
  • Once out do not go back in
  • Determine a way to call triple 000
  • If you deadlock doors when you're at home, always leave keys in the lock to avoid becoming trapped
  • As you escape, close internal doors behind you. This can reduce fire spread and minimise damage

These simple considerations can be lifesaving. It is crucial to remember that every second counts. Get out and stay out.

If you don’t already have a fire escape plan prepared and shared with your family, refer to this example escape plan from Fire Rescue NSW to get started.

2. Ensure your electric blankets and appliances are in good working order
  • Make a visual inspection of your heating appliances/electric blankets at the start of winter
  • Check power cords, visible wiring, and internal components for signs of damage or wear
  • If concerned have a qualified electrician take a look or replace the item
3. Make sure you have working smoke alarms

Only working smoke alarms save lives. These essential fire safety items can often go ignored in residential properties.

Make testing and maintaining your smoke alarms a priority.

  • Test that your smoke alarm/s are working
  • Check the smoke alarm is in date. Smoke alarms have a lifespan of 10 years
  • Maintain the smoke alarms by giving a vacuum to remove dust and any insects
Don't let your household join the 17,000 annual house fires in Australia. Contact us to find out how we can make sure your home is safe and compliant.
  • DD slash MM slash YYYY
  • Please note you cannot use this form for cancellation or reschedule requests of bookings that are due to take place in less than 48 hours. Please immediately call 1300 134 563 to ensure that the cancellation occurs.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Detector Inspector's electrical safety service provides peace of mind that all electrical appliances, installations and fittings at a property are safe and compliant.

Learn more
Share this page

While you’re here

News
National Property Managers Day 2022
28 June 2022
News
Charging tenants for water? Landlords need to prove water efficiency
19 May 2022
News
House fires reinforce the importance of smoke alarm checks at all rental properties
25 March 2022
Go back
Go back
  • Services
    • All services
    • Smoke alarm safety
    • Gas safety
    • Electrical safety
    • Water efficiency
    • Corded blind safety
    • Essential fire safety
  • Offers
    • VIC Safer Home plan
    • QLD Smoke Alarm Upgrade Offer
  • Solutions
    • Property managers
    • Landlords
    • Homeowners
    • Building managers
  • About us
    • Our Technology Difference
    • Our Story
    • Our Team
    • Testimonials
    • Contact Us
  • Help Centre
  • Resources
  • Work with us
1300 134 563
Visit Help Centre Get in touch
1300 134 563
Visit Help Centre
Get in touch
  • © 2022 Detector Inspector
  • Info Sec Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Insurance Policy
  • Terms of Service

Electrical Licenses:
VIC 30673 | QLD 87100 |
NSW 372889C | TAS 15608738

Please share your location to continue.

Check our help guide for more info.

share your location