Heating Fire Safety

Tasmania has one of the highest fire fatality rates per capita in Australia and heating is the number 2 cause of home fires.

Remember to follow the important proceedures listed below:

• Don’t place clothing or any flammable material too close to heaters – it should be at least two metres from any source of heat
• Never leave clothes near the heater if leaving the house or going to bed
• Check clothing regularly if drying near a heater
• Use fire screens at all times with open fires
• Don’t sit too close to the heaters
• Clean and maintain chimneys and heater flues annually
• Maintain heaters according to the manufacturer’s instructions
• Don’t leave your heater door open or remove screens on open fires
• Be careful with the disposal of ashes from the hearth or wood heater. Ashes can take up to five days to cool. Always place ashes in a metal container. Dispose of ashes well clear of your home and pour water over them
• Never use an outdoor heater indoors.

What can you do?

Supervise and educate your children:

• Supervise your children at all times, especially around fire, cooking and heating.
• Don’t let your children use fire – helping with lighting the fire or burning off makes children think that they can control fire.

Remove the temptation:

• Lock away matches and lighters – just like you lock away medicines and other dangerous household substances.
• Teach your children to tell you about any unattended matches or lighters they find and reward them for their honesty.

Make your home fire safe:

• Lead by example – reduce the risk of fire by using fire, heating and electricity safely.
• Have working photoelectric smoke alarms in all bedrooms, hallway and living areas.