According to a leading insurance company, 20% more claims are made for house fires are made during the months of June, July and August compared to the average month.
As fireplaces are rekindled and heaters and electric blankets are brought out from storage, people are urged to check that these items are safe to use.
Insurance company surveys across Australia found that approximately one-third of people who have experienced a house fire say it occurred due to a faulty appliance, or an accident with an open flame or appliance.
Nearly one-in-five Australians say they don’t bother to check their heating equipment for safety at the beginning of winter.
Fire can have a far greater impact than just the loss of possessions.
You are urged to take care with fires and take the time NOW to check heating equipment.
Some of the more common causes of house fires include:
- Embers from open log fires float out of the fireplace once you have gone to bed. Make sure to use a screen in front of the fireplace and try to ensure the fire is fully extinguished before you go to sleep for the night.
- Electric heaters either have faulty wiring, or are left too close to lounges, curtains or other furnishings
- Candles left burning unattended or overnight are often the cause of house fires. Ensure that a fireproof plate is placed under the candle and that it is fully extinguished before you leave the room or go to sleep
- Winter may be the time to cook hearty meals but hot oil in pots and pans is the cause of many fires originating in the kitchen. Keep a watchful eye on your cooking.
Some sobering facts to consider
- The majority of deaths in preventable residential fires in Australia occur in the cooler winter months when people increase the use of heating equipment in their homes.
- Most fatal fires occur when people are sleeping, between 8.00 pm to 8.00 am; the peak time for fatal fires is between midnight and 4.00 am.
- In a fire, people are more likely to die as a result of smoke inhalation than burns. Not having a smoke alarm can increase the likelihood of a fire fatality in the home by 60%.
- Fire injuries are more likely to start in the kitchen and to occur when people are cooking their evening meal. Leaving equipment unattended is more likely to cause a fire injury.
- In fire injuries, one of the major reasons for the ineffectiveness of smoke alarms is that the battery or smoke alarm has been disconnected or that the battery has run flat.
Please perform safety checks on any heating appliances before use and if you have not already done so please carry out an annual check on your smoke alarm batteries.
Stay warm, but most importantly, stay safe!
