Introduction
This section has information about how you can prevent fires and check the smoke alarm in your public housing home.
Information in other languages
Fire safety and smoke alarm fact sheet - Arabic PDF (416.7 KB)
Smoke alarms and your safety fact sheet - Arabic PDF (564.4 KB)
Fire safety and smoke alarm fact sheet - Burmese PDF (721.1 KB)
Smoke alarms and your safety fact sheet - Burmese PDF (343.3 KB)
Fire safety and smoke alarm fact sheet - Greek PDF (308.8 KB)
Smoke alarms and your safety fact sheet - Greek PDF (474.0 KB)
Fire safety and smoke alarm fact sheet - Indonesian PDF (301.8 KB)
Smoke alarms and your safety fact sheet - Indonesian PDF (458.3 KB)
Fire safety and smoke alarm fact sheet - Khmer PDF (2.0 MB)
Smoke alarms and your safety fact sheet - Khmer PDF (380.9 KB)
Fire safety and smoke alarm fact sheet - Portuguese PDF (460.7 KB)
Smoke alarms and your safety fact sheet - Portuguese PDF (614.5 KB)
Fire safety and smoke alarm fact sheet - Swahili PDF (300.5 KB)
Smoke alarms and your safety fact sheet - Swahili PDF (458.4 KB)
Fire safety and smoke alarm fact sheet - Thai PDF (500.8 KB)
Smoke alarms and your safety fact sheet - Thai PDF (532.5 KB)
Fire safety and smoke alarm fact sheet - Vietnamese PDF (363.9 KB)
Smoke alarms and your safety fact sheet - Vietnamese PDF (517.7 KB)
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.
Use a broom if you cannot reach.
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.
Do not cover the alarm with tape, paint or other items.
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.