Contributor - Christine Dorsey - Waitaki Neighbourhood Support Coordinator on Fire Safety

As the chilly winter months approach, it’s important to not only keep warm but also to prioritise fire safety in your home.

Fortunately, Fire and Emergency NZ can do Home Fire Safety Visits and I have recently been involved with this very valuable initiative which involves going into a home and looking at all the things that may be a fire risk.

Smoke alarms are checked, and escape plans are also discussed. During these visits, my knowledge of fire safety has significantly increased, so I will take this opportunity to share my key learnings to make everyone a little safer.

1. Smoke alarms have expiry dates. They only last ten years. On visits, we have seen several people who are diligently replacing the smoke alarm batteries, when the actual alarm has expired. Although the smoke alarm battery continues to beep when tested, the actual alarm is past its best by date and therefore may no longer be reliable.

2. Many teenagers shut their doors when they are sleeping. If this is the case, there needs to be a smoke alarm in their bedroom. 

3. Vaping does not activate smoke alarms, so no need to worry about that.

4. Smoke alarms ideally should not be in the kitchen. This is because they are likely to go off when you burn the toast and consequently people will be frustrated and take them down. Also, when you are cooking you should always be present, so will see a fire straight away.

5. Smoke alarms are predominantly for protection while we are sleeping. If a smoke alarm goes off, there should be sufficient time to safely exit the home without needing to climb out windows.

6. Fire Hawk is a very reliable brand to purchase.

7. Electric blankets are fabulous, but it is recommended you replace them every five years, roll them, not fold, if you remove them from the bed during summer. Plus, of course, turn them off once you are in bed.

8. Clean your chimney annually. I knew this, but we met people who didn’t. However, we did learn that most plumbers’ clean chimneys, as does Murrays Chimney Services and landlords are responsible for this annual cost.

9. All fan heaters should be vacuumed regularly. Not just the front, but also the part where the air is sucked in, as dust can ignite.

10. Don’t stack firewood against a wooden house.

11. Test your smoke alarms at the start of every season, not just at daylight saving.

12. Finally, remember the rhymes, “keep a metre from the heater” and “keep looking while you’re cooking”.

If you have concerns about any aspect of fire safety and would like to have a discussion with a fire safety expert, then please either ring me on 0272410589 or email me on [email protected]. Please also do your part, to check that friends and family have smoke alarms - and if they don’t, please contact me urgently, as we all want to prevent a catastrophe in our community.