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Guide to home fire safety and hazard prevention
Fire prevention is about being proactive in maintaining your home, practising safety habits, and preparing for emergencies. This guide will help you understand how to minimise risks and protect your home and loved ones.
Fires can happen anywhere, including at home. Each year there are 3,000 house fires in Victoria according to the Country Fire Authority (CFA), most of which could be avoided.
Kitchens are one of the most common locations for fires to start in the home, and lithium-ion battery fires cause almost one fire every day in Victoria.
By knowing and adhering to current mandatory safety regulations, such as properly installing and maintaining smoke alarms, you can help ensure your house and property is as fire safe as possible year-round.
In this article
How to reduce fire hazards and increase fire safety at home
Install and maintain working smoke alarms
Smoke alarms save lives, but only if they’re installed and working properly.
The CFA states that smoke alarms are compulsory in all Victorian residential buildings (including but not limited to houses, townhouses, apartments, units and flats) as per state law. Furthermore:
- There must be at least one smoke alarm on every level of a residential property and alarms should be located between each sleeping area and the remainder of the home. This often means they’re located in the hallway outside of bedrooms. The CFA additionally recommends installing smoke alarms inside bedrooms too.
- Homes built before August 1, 1997 must have at least one standalone, battery-powered smoke alarm installed. Homes built after that date must have smoke alarms installed that comply with Australian Standards AS3786 and are connected to 240-volt mains power, with a back-up battery.
- All new homes, as well as those undergoing significant renovation after 1 May 2014, must use interconnected smoke alarms if there is a need for multiple smoke alarms.
In 2024, RACV in partnership with the CFA provided more than 700 at-risk Victorians with smoke alarms and home fire safety education, with a poll conducted by RACV showing almost one in five respondents did not understand how their smoke alarms worked.
Check your fire alarms monthly – this can be done by pressing the ‘test’ button on the alarm. Dust the alarm at the same time, as dust build-up and other debris can affect how well they work.
A 10-year lithium battery should ideally be used to power your alarms. This should be replaced every ten years, along with the back-up battery (if alarms are wired to the mains). If a nine-volt battery powers your alarm, it should be replaced every year.
Replace the entire smoke alarm unit every 10 years or earlier if it is yellowing, keeps activating for no reason, or keeps beeping after the battery has been replaced.
Smoke alarms should be tested monthly to make sure they're working correctly. Image: Getty
Fire hazard prevention in bedrooms and living spaces
Fireplaces
No matter what type of fireplace you have, it’s important you know how to properly clean and maintain it.
Wood, electric and gas log fireplaces all have different maintenance requirements but there are some safety measures that should be implemented across all models.
All types of fireplaces should not have anything placed or hung on top of them. They should also feature a screen to keep pets and children at a distance, and to prevent ash and embers from entering the room (for wood-burning fireplaces).
You should also keep flammable materials away from the fireplace, turn off or extinguish the fire before leaving the house or going to sleep, and never leave children unattended while a fireplace is in use.
Batteries
Lithium-ion batteries are ubiquitous in modern products, and are found in everything from phones to e-bikes. If you have a device with an in-built rechargeable battery, it is likely to be lithium-ion.
If charged incorrectly, however, these batteries pose a serious fire hazard.
To help prevent lithium-ion battery fires:
- Use the appropriate charger, either the one supplied with the device or third-party chargers compatible with the battery specifications that are certified with the Australian Standards Regulatory Compliance Mark.
- Disconnect your devices as soon as they are fully recharged.
- Consider where you’re charging your devices. Charging in a bathroom or laundry may make it harder for a fire to spread if it starts. Never charge on or near flammable materials such as soft furnishings or chemicals. Do not leave devices to charge in direct sunlight where they can overheat.
- Stop using the device and repair or replace it if it starts running out of charge faster than normal, as this could indicate the battery is degrading.
- Only charge one device per power outlet, keep charging cords tidy and do not use damaged cords.
Don't overcharge lithium-ion batteries and always use a charger that meets Australian standards. Image: Getty
Appliances and electronics
Even corded electrical devices without lithium-ion batteries can pose fire hazards if used incorrectly.
Obey the manufacturer’s instructions when using any electrical device and turn them off at the power point when not in use.
Laptops, monitors and televisions can all produce heat so place them somewhere with good airflow and never cover them.
In the laundry, make sure you clean the lint filter in your dryer after every load and let it fully cool down after use.
Fire safety tips for power points, power boards and extension cords include:
- Not overloading power points or power boards.
- Avoiding double adaptors.
- Plugging high wattage appliances like heaters directly into power points, not into power boards.
- Using extension cords only temporarily.
- Placing electrical cords out of the reach of children.
- Securing extension cords to the wall or floor with tape and not placing under rugs or carpets.
- Not plugging multiple extension cords together.
Do not use a device or electrical cord that has stopped working, or has frayed, damaged or exposed wires. Dispose of the product or enlist a certified electrical tradesperson for repairs.
Overloaded power points or power boards can pose a home fire hazard. Image: Matt Harvey.
Electric blankets
Electric blankets can help keep you warm, but they can pose a fire hazard if used or stored incorrectly.
It’s recommended that you only turn on your electric blanket 30 minutes before bedtime, turning the blanket off before you get into bed.
Store the blanket rolled up (not folded) and not under any heavy objects. Inspect it for damage after taking it out of storage. Do not sit or place weight on electric blankets when they are turned on.
Candles and oil burners
As they contain open flames, candles (as well as oil and incense burners) pose a significant fire hazard if not used safely.
Keep candles away from children, pets, drafts and flammable materials (such as curtains). Use only on sturdy, non-combustible surfaces and with purpose-designed candle holders or burners. Make sure matches and lighters are likewise kept in a safe location.
Don’t leave them unattended and extinguish before leaving the house or going to sleep.
Regular servicing can improve the safety of your heaters as well as reduce running costs.
Heater fire safety
All types of heaters have the potential to cause fires or burns if used incorrectly. Unsurprisingly, the CFA reports that fires caused by heaters increase during winter months. Most manufacturers recommend heaters are serviced annually before winter which can help ensure they're working correctly.
Benefits of servicing your heater include:
- Improved safety
- Improved efficiency
- Reduced running costs
- Increased lifespan of the appliance
- Improved air quality
Servicing gas heaters is particularly important to check for potentially deadly carbon monoxide leaks.
Other fire safety tips for heaters include:
- Turning heaters off before leaving the house or sleeping
- Drying items at least one metre away from the heater
- Supervising children and pets near heaters
- Choosing portable heaters that have safety switches that turn off automatically if tipped over
Induction cooktops can be safer than electric or gas because they don't produce flames or radiant heat. Image: Matt Harvey.
Fire hazard prevention in the kitchen
The most likely location for a fire to start in the home is in the kitchen, with the CFA responding to 250 kitchen fires across Victoria in 2023.
Cooking is the primary cause of kitchen fires, which is why you should never leave cooking unattended. Overboiling pots and food stuck to pans can ignite fires.
Ensure any flammable objects are kept well away from heat sources. Common flammable substances in the kitchen include paper towels, tea towels, curtains and cooking oils. Keep pot and pan handles turned inward to help prevent them being knocked over.
Check and clean appliances regularly to make sure they’re still working correctly and are free from grease, debris and dust that could potentially fuel a fire. Swapping to an induction cooktop can help minimise the risk of fires further, because they do not produce flames or radiant heat.
Finally, always supervise children in the kitchen.
Fire hazard prevention outside
Bushfire safety
Even if you live in the city, it’s important to be bushfire safe. Suburbs as close to 10km from the Melbourne CBD have been identified as at risk of bushfires, such as areas near large bushland parks along the Yarra. It’s important to understand the current bushfire danger ratings if you're planning to travel during fire season.
You can help protect your property from bushfires by:
- Maintaining vegetation (lawns, gardens, leaves) on your property. You may require a permit if burning off – visit Fire Permits Victoria to check and apply
- Cleaning gutters
- Sealing gaps in windows and doors
- Remove and store flammable items (including wood piles) well away from your home.
- Make sure your home insurance is current and covers you for the right events, items, and structures
It’s also vital you have a bushfire plan in place that states when you’ll leave, where you’ll go and how you’ll get there should a fire ignite.
Barbecue fire safety
Many of the safety rules that apply to kitchens also apply when barbecuing outside.
Keep flammable materials as well as children and pets away from the barbecue (the CFA advises a 3m perimeter). Never leave a lit barbecue unattended and clean it regularly.
Make sure the barbecue is placed on level ground and avoid grilling on windy days – this is to avoid debris flying onto the barbecue where it could ignite as well as to reduce the chance of the burners being blown out.
Adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions when igniting your barbecue, ensuring you use the correct fuel and lighter fluids (where appropriate).
Barbecues that use solid fuel such as wood and heat beads are banned on total fire ban days.
Firepit and outdoor fireplace safety
Firepits and outdoor fireplaces should be placed at least 3m away from large structures such as your house, shed or fence. Keep flammable materials, including overhanging plants or lights, well away.
Place the pit on a flat, non-flammable surface and obey all manufacturer’s instructions. Do not leave a lit firepit unattended and supervise children and pets while it is in use.
Keeping your barbecue clean and away from flammable materials is important for outdoor fire safety. Image: Matt Harvey.
Fire safety in rental properties
Home fire safety advice can be implemented by both owner-occupiers and tenants.
However, when it comes to rental properties, rental providers have some additional responsibilities when it comes to fire safety.
As per the Victorian Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021, Victorian rental providers are responsible for the installation of smoke alarms in their rental properties and for the alarms to be installed in line with the regulations and manufacturer's instructions.
They also must:
- have the smoke alarms tested every 12 months
- supply replacement batteries for the alarms as needed
- supply renters with written information on how the alarms work, how to test the alarms, the renters' obligation not to tamper with the alarms, and the renters' obligation to immediately notify the rental provider if an alarm is not working
A non-working fire alarm is classed as an urgent repair per the Victorian Residential Tenancies Regulations 2021, and therefore the rental provider must immediately arrange for its repair or replacement when notified by renters. Rental providers are also responsible for arranging electrical and gas safety checks every two years.
Additionally, renters must not interfere with carbon monoxide alarms or fire safety or fighting equipment (such as fire sprinklers, blankets, hose reels, hydrants and extinguishers) unless reasonable to do so.
Fire safety in apartments
There are also additional considerations for those who live in apartments, as evacuating from a fire may be less simple than with a freestanding house.
Apartment residents need to be familiar with the fire escape plan for their building, as well as the location of the fire exits, fire stairs and fire fighting equipment. Other important actions include:
- Creating an escape plan for your household with at least two routes of escape (in case one becomes blocked). Know where the building evacuation point is and that your entire household (as well as any guests) knows where it is.
- Never storing items where they could obstruct your exits or block access to fire fighting equipment. This includes not storing items in corridors, stairways or fire equipment cupboards. Do not prop open fire doors.
- Evacuating immediately if alerted to a fire, staying low, alerting others and closing doors behind you if safe to do so.
- Using emergency exits or fire stairs to evacuate. Do not use lifts unless they are specifically labelled for evacuation.
You can attempt to extinguish small fires close to your location if you have access to firefighting equipment (blankets, extinguishers) and you feel confident in using them.
Fire extinguishers can help put out small fires but you should only use them if you feel confident in doing so. Image: CFA.
Should I keep a fire extinguisher or fire blanket in my home?
The CFA recommends a fire blanket and extinguisher be kept in every kitchen, however you should only use them if you feel confident in doing so.
Be mindful that different types of extinguishers are required for different classes of fires.
| Type of fire extinguisher | |
|---|---|
|
Water |
Class A, wood and paper fires |
|
Wet chemical |
Class F, cooking oil and fat fires |
|
Foam |
Class B, flammable and combustible liquid fires |
|
Powder (ABE or BE) |
ABE powder: Class A, B, C, E, wood, paper, flammable liquids, flammable gases and electrically energised equipment fires BE powder: Class B, C, E, F, flammable liquids, flammable gases, electrically energises equipment and cooking oil and fat fires |
|
Carbon dioxide |
Class E, electrically energised equipment fires |
|
Vaporising liquid |
Class A and E, wood, paper and electrically energised equipment fires |
|
Fire blanket |
Class F, cooking oil and fat fires |
What should I do if a fire starts in my home?
If a fire starts at home the safest option is to get out, stay out and call 000.
Create a fire escape plan that lists at least two escape routes from every room. Make sure everyone in your household is familiar with the plan and that you have designated a safe meeting spot outside.
Close doors while exiting if safe to do so. Get down low and crawl if there’s smoke. Keep the key in any deadlocks to allow a quick exit.
If you can’t escape, close the door to the room where there’s fire if safe to do so. Get as far away from the smoke and fire as possible and call 000, ask for fire and say you need help escaping. Stay on the line with the operator, do not hang up.
The information provided is general advice only. Before making any decisions please consider your own circumstances and the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations. For copies, visit racv.com.au. As distributor, RACV Insurance Services Pty Ltd AFS Licence No. 230039 receives commission for each policy sold or renewed. RACV Home Insurance issued by Insurance Manufacturers of Australia Pty Ltd ABN 93 004 208 084 AFS Licence No. 227678.
