Fire safety and smoke alarms in public housing

Introduction


Smoke alarms in your home

Your public housing home must have a working smoke alarm when you move in.

Find out how to check your smoke alarm. If it does not work, contact your local housing office.

What a smoke alarm does

Smoke alarms are early warning systems that detect smoke and fires and sound an alarm.

Smoke alarms help protect your life and your property. They should not be removed or damaged.

How long smoke alarm batteries last

Your home has been fitted with an approved photo-electric smoke alarm.

Your alarm has:

  • a lithium battery which lasts up to 10 years or
  • it's hard-wired to your home’s electrical system and has battery back-up.

Lithium batteries in your home will be replaced on expiry by the Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities.


Checking your smoke alarm

You should test your smoke alarm every 12 months.

Your public housing home must have a working smoke alarm when you move in.

It is your responsibility as the tenant to make sure the alarm keeps working.

How to test your smoke alarm

Check the alarm by pressing the test button. You will hear a loud beep.

Check the alarm by pressing the test button.

Use a broom if you cannot reach.

Use a broom if you cannot reach your alarm.

If you do not hear a sound when testing your smoke alarm, contact your nearest housing office as soon as possible.

How to maintain your smoke alarm

Keep the alarm clean and free of dust using a broom, duster or vacuum.

Keep the alarm dust free using a broom

Do not cover the alarm with tape, paint or other items.

Do not cover the alarm with tape

Do not disable or remove the alarm.

Read more about smoke alarms and how to prevent false alarms.


Preventing fires in your home

This page has information to stop a house fire from starting in your home.

You should also check your smoke alarm once a year.

Be prepared

You should talk to your family about what to do in case of a fire.  Make sure your children know your home escape plan. Include a meeting place away from your home, and two ways to get out of each room. Practise the plan with everyone in the household.

Point out the smoke alarm and explain what it does.

Make sure keys to all locked doors are easy to access.

In bedrooms

Never smoke in bed. 

Always turn off electric blankets before getting into bed.

Check electric blankets for damage, such as frayed cords, and replace old ones.

Always extinguish candles or any other open flames before going to bed or leaving a room.

In the kitchen

Never leave cooking unattended.

In the laundry

If you use a clothes dryer clean the lint filter every time you use it.

In all rooms

Do not overload power points. Only use one appliance for every power point.

Switch off appliances when they are not being used.

Store matches and lighters away from small children.

Keep curtains, clothing, tablecloths and bedding away from heaters and candles.

Read more about fire safety at home.


Dealing with a fire in your home

If there is fire, call 000.

Your first priority is to ensure that you and your family are safe.

Do not attempt to fight a fire.

Getting away from a fire

If there is smoke, cover your nose and mouth with a cloth and keep close to the floor.

If a fire starts in your home or unit, leave immediately and close the front door firmly. Use the nearest stairs to reach ground level. Never use a lift in a fire.

If a fire starts in another unit or in a common area, leave the building if it's safe.

Heavy sleepers such as children or those affected by alcohol or drugs, may not hear the alarm so you might need to help them.

If a family member has a hearing or mobility problem, assign someone to help them.

If it's not safe to leave, call 000, tell them your location, stay in your home or unit and close your doors and windows to keep the smoke out.

Don't try to go back inside to save possessions.

After a fire

Call the Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities on 08 8999 8860.

Housing officers will assess the damage to work out what maintenance or repair work is needed.

You will be relocated until this work has been completed, and will be contacted when it's safe to return to the property.