House fire

Install smoke alarms at home

Smoke alarms are compulsory in every home. You need to replace all smoke alarms every 10 years, and replace batteries every year.

Test the smoke alarm each month by pressing the test button and waiting for the beep beep beep. All Australian fire services recommend photoelectric smoke alarms.

Prepare a home fire escape plan

Identify the quickest, safest way to get out of the house from every room, including upper floors. Agree on a place to meet outside (letter box or nature strip) and practise evacuating.

Before: preventing home fires

To prepare yourself, your family and your property:

  • book a licensed gas-fitter to check your gas heater;
  • check chimneys, flues and fire boxes for cracks, rust and debris;
  • check electric blankets for kinks in the wiring and appliances for visibly frayed or damaged wiring;
  • clean the lint filter in your dryer (and continue to do this after each load);
  • keep a fire extinguisher and fire blanket near your cooking area;
  • check BBQ gas bottles to see if their test date is current;
  • install smoke alarms properly in your home, including outside sleeping areas;
  • identify important items you want to take if you need to evacuate;
  • practise your home fire escape plan regularly; and
  • check you have adequate home and contents insurance.

Prepare a household emergency plan

During: what to do if you are in a house fire

It is important to leave a burning house as quickly and safely as possible:

Stop, drop, cover and roll

If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop, cover your face with your hands and roll to smother the flames. To help someone else, throw a woollen blanket over them to extinguish the flames.

Get down low and go, go, go!

In a fire, the safest area for breathing is near the floor where the air is cooler and cleaner, so remember to crawl low in smoke.

Check doors for heat before opening

Use the back of your hand to check for heat. Close doors behind you if possible. If the door is hot, use another exit. Get everyone out of the house as quickly as possible.

Call the fire brigade: 000

Call the fire brigade from a neighbour's house, public or mobile phone and wait for them to arrive. Never go back inside for any reason.

After: recovering from a house fire

  • Contact your insurance company immediately and follow instructions.
  • Be aware that burnt homes can leave potential health hazards such as asbestos, ashes (especially from burnt treated timbers) and damaged electrical wiring. Follow advice of the Department of Health and Human Services to reduce risk of injury and illness.
  • Consider food spoilage resulting from extended power failure, 4 hours or more.
  • To apply for financial assistance to help ease personal hardship, call the Municipal Recovery Manager on 0466 535 214.
  • Contact family and friends and let them know you are ok.

Contact us

If you need more information about your emergency plan, please contact our Emergency Management Team on 9490 4222 or enquiries@banyule.vic.gov.au

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