Fire safety at home

Introduction

The following pages are a guide to preventing and recovering from a fire in your home.

You should also read about fire, electrical safety and children.


Barbecues

This page contains information about barbecue safety.

Before you cook

Before you use a gas barbecue make sure the service date of the gas cylinder has not expired. 

Check the gas fittings are not perished or damaged and that the connections are secure.

You should also check for leaks by spraying soapy water on the connections. A bubble will form if there is a leak.

Cleaning

Clean your barbecue thoroughly to avoid grease fires. Make sure the grease or drip pan is cleaned regularly.

Where to set up

Do not use a barbecue inside a garage or other enclosed area. This can lead to a build-up of harmful smoke and fumes.

Set up the barbecue on a firm, level base in a well-ventilated area away from other objects that could catch fire.

Using your barbecue

Follow the manufacturers’ recommendations when lighting your barbecue. 

Keep a fire extinguisher, fire blanket or garden hose nearby.

Never leave your barbecue unattended when cooking. Make sure children and pets are at least 2m away at all times.   

Use long-handled barbecue utensils and make sure loose-fitting clothing does not trail over open flames.

Make sure you turn off the gas cylinder when you have finished cooking to ensure gas is used up in the line, then turn off the barbecue.

Remember LPG is flammable. It is heavier than air and may remain in low-lying areas for some time.

If you are using a wood-fired barbecue, never add fuel of any type.

If a fire starts

You should call 000 in an emergency.


Clothes dryers

Clothes dryers can catch fire. 

To lower the chance of a fire when using a clothes dryer, you should:

  • always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, especially when you install it
  • not overload it
  • not put dripping-wet clothes in it
  • clean the lint filter after every use
  • not turn on the dryer and then leave the house
  • not put clothes or other items on or around the dryer
  • make sure the area where the dryer is being used is well ventilated
  • not use the dryer if it is making unusual noises, for example rubbing or grinding sounds, or if the timer is not working properly.

Apartments

If you live in a multi-storey apartment building you must think about how you would respond to a fire.

You may only have one way of getting out of the apartment or the building.

Many older mutli-storied apartments do not have fire sprinklers or automatic fire alarms.

Make sure you are familiar with the evacuation plan for your building and the fire alarm signals. Know what actions to take. 

If you need more information, talk to your body corporate representatives.

You need to check your appliances that could cause a fire, such as your clothes dryer or computer.

You should also know:

  • what type of fire alarm the building has
  • the exits from your own apartment
  • the exits from your floor to the outside of the building
  • what emergency lighting there is in your building.

What to do in a fire

You should:

  • always call 000 in an emergency - you may be the first person to have done so
  • know where the exits are
  • be decisive
  • evacuate quickly
  • take your apartment key - you may need to return if the way out is blocked by smoke
  • if you are trapped, know how to protect yourself for as long as possible.

Smoke alarms

Under Northern Territory (NT) law, approved smoke alarms must be installed in all residential premises or movable dwellings. This includes caravans.

Home owners must test each smoke alarm at least once every 12 months.

Tenants are required to test each smoke alarm at least once every 12 months and advise the owner or agent if an alarm does not work.

Property managers or other nominated persons may act on behalf of an owner to maintain, test or replace alarms.

Find out more about Territory laws on smoke alarms at the NT Fire and Rescue Service website.

Approved smoke alarms

An approved smoke alarm is a photoelectric type smoke alarm that is either hardwired to your home's power supply or has a sealed lithium battery unit with a 10-year life.

Hardwired smoke alarms must be installed by a licensed electrician.

Battery-powered smoke alarms can be manually installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Smoke alarms in public housing

Your smoke alarm is a sealed unit with a 10-year battery life. It will be replaced on expiry by the Department of Housing.

If you have any queries contact your tenancy manager.

Read more about fire safety and smoke alarms in your public housing home.

Buying, selling or leasing

If you are selling or leasing your property, you must install an approved photoelectric smoke alarm.

It is the tenants’ responsibility to keep these alarms in good working order.

If you own a home

Home owners with non-approved smoke alarms installed do not have to replace these alarms until they stop working.

You can choose to replace your alarms sooner but this is not a legal requirement.

If your home was built before 7 January 1998 and you don’t have smoke alarms installed, you need to install an approved photoelectric smoke alarm.

All homes built after 7 January 1998 should already be fitted with hardwired smoke alarms.

If ionisation alarms have been installed, you do not have to replace them with hardwired photoelectric alarms until:

  • the ionisation alarm ceases to function
  • the premises is sold or rented
  • a tenancy agreement for the premises is renewed or extended
  • a hire agreement for the premises is entered into, renewed or extended.

Best places to install smoke alarms

Smoke alarms should be installed between each bedroom area and the rest of the house. Alarms should be installed inside any bedroom where someone sleeps with the door shut.

They should be installed on or near the ceiling, with special care taken to avoid:

  • the top of cathedral ceilings
  • the corner junction of walls and ceilings
  • between exposed beams where there may be a dead air space.

If it is not practical to install the smoke alarm on the ceiling, it may be installed on the wall between 300mm to 500mm below the ceiling.

For cathedral ceilings, install the alarm between 500mm and 1500mm from the highest point to the top of the alarm.

Multilevel homes and properties

If you are installing smoke alarms in a multilevel home or property, install an additional alarm in the stairway between each level.

For houses with a common hallway, install smoke alarms:

  • between the kitchen and living areas
  • in the common hallway that connects all bedrooms
  • inside any room where someone sleeps with the door closed.

Since 1 May 2014 there is a requirement for new or renovated homes under the National Construction Code that, where there is more than one alarm, they be interconnected.

Tips to prevent false alarms

To cut down on false alarms you should:

  • check your toaster setting before use
  • not walk away from a toaster
  • not smoke near smoke detectors
  • not spray aerosols at smoke detectors
  • be careful when doing work that creates dust, heat or smoke
  • open windows and use fans to control steam and fumes, particularly in the bathroom and kitchen
  • make sure your visitors know there is a fire alarm system.

To read more about managing false alarms go to the NT Fire and Rescue Service website.


Who to call after a fire

You should call the people listed below after you have suffered a house fire:

  • family and friends
  • your insurance company
  • your bank and mortgage company
  • your employer
  • your child’s school
  • the post office
  • your electricity supplier
  • the local council
  • your gas supplier.

If you are renting

If you are renting and suffer a house fire, contact your landlord as soon as possible.

If you are a public housing tenant, contact the Department of Housing on (08) 8999 8860.

If you are insured

If you are insured, call your insurance company. You may be covered for emergency accommodation through your policy.

Find out what you need to do, such as secure the house and make a list of damaged items.

Don’t throw away any damaged items in case they need to be assessed.

Talk to your insurance company before arranging any repairs.

If you don’t have insurance

It may take some time to recover if you don't have insurance. If you need help, contact:

  • Centrelink 132 850
  • the Department of Housing (08) 8999 8860
  • The Salvation Army (08) 8944 6000
  • Somerville Community Service (08) 8920 4100
  • your local church.

Returning home after a fire

Do not enter your house if it is damaged unless you have to and you have been advised it is safe to do so.

It is the homeowner's responsibility to check water, electricity and gas supplies before returning.

If you can’t enter your home, you’ll need to arrange accommodation.

You’ll need to stay with family, friends or in a hotel for at least one night or longer if the house has been seriously damaged.

Cleaning up

Depending on the extent of the damage, you may need to hire a professional fire and water damage restorer. Check the Yellow Pages for local businesses.

Food safety

After a fire in your home you should:

  • discard all food, drinks and medicine exposed to fire, smoke or water
  • wash tins and jars in detergent and water
  • not eat tinned food if the tin has bulged or rusted
  • not refreeze food that has thawed.

Kitchen utensils and electrical appliances

After a fire in your home you should:

  • wash cooking pots and pans with detergent and water, then rinse and polish with a fine, powdered cleaner
  • have all electrical appliances checked by a qualified service person before you use them.

Furniture and furnishings

After a fire in your home you should:

  • dry out rugs and carpets as quickly as possible or they will begin to rot
  • scrub furniture with cleaner - brush and dry thoroughly in the shade where there is good ventilation to stop mould and mildew
  • remove drawers to dry - this will help stop them sticking.

Leather and books

After a fire in your home you should:

  • wipe leather goods with a damp cloth, then a dry cloth
  • stuff leather items and shoes with newspaper to help keep their shape
  • dry leather goods away from the sun
  • freeze wet books in a vacuum freezer, if possible.

Walls, floors and ceilings

You should clean soot and smoke from walls and floors with mild soap or detergent.


Education programs

The Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service (NTFRS) has information available about fire safety at home.

Programs deal with subjects including:

  • smoke alarms - legislation, types of smoke alarms, placement, and maintenance
  • risk reduction - in the kitchen, laundry, electrical, general, and outdoors
  • evacuation - being prepared, evacuation in an emergency, what to do if you are unable to get out of your home, and escape plans
  • rural environments.

 Contact the NTFRS to find out more about these programs.