Smoke-alarm checks in winter could save lives

This winter is the perfect time to check your smoke alarm.

With more people working from home, and more electronic devices and general heating now in use, it is essential smoke alarms are fully functioning. A working smoke alarm will greatly increase a household’s chances of escaping a fire.

Recent figures from the Metropolitan Fire Brigade suggested a lack of preparedness in Maroondah, with reports of many households not having a functioning alarm.

Councillor and Maroondah Community Safety Committee representative, Rob  Steane, said a smoke alarm could mean the difference between escape and tragedy.

“If you don’t have a working smoke alarm in your home and a fire occurs, you are 57 per cent more likely to suffer property loss and damage, 36 per cent more likely to suffer serious injuries and four times more likely to die,” Cr Steane said.

“When you’re asleep, you lose your sense of smell. A working smoke alarm will alert you if there is smoke from a fire. A small fire can engulf an entire room in less than three minutes – a smoke alarm provides an early warning and time to escape.

“Even if the alarm is hardwired into the electricity supply, it is still important to check the back-up battery, because quite often when a fire takes hold, the power goes off.”

Residents are reminded to only purchase smoke alarms that comply to Australian Standards AS 3786, indicated by the Standards Australia ‘five ticks’ symbols on the smoke alarm packaging:

Smoke alarm tips: Install a smoke alarm in bedrooms and all living areas, including hallways and stairs. Each month test smoke alarms by pressing the test button. Each year vacuum all smoke alarms to clean the vent, and change batteries in any 9-volt battery-operated alarms. After 10 years replace smoke alarms regardless of what type. Get a smoke alarm powered by a 10-year lithium battery, so you don’t need to change the battery every year. Consider installing interconnected smoke alarms, so that when any alarm activates, all alarms will sound.

You could also consider installing a carbon monoxide detector, which works like a traditional fire or smoke alarm. They detect carbon monoxide, which is extremely hazardous particularly in confined spaces such as kitchens or garages. Carbon monoxide is also potentially lethal, as well as difficult to detect because is it odorless and invisible. They are particularly important for those with gas heaters, as well.

For more information about smoke alarms and fire safety, visit the MFB website (mfb.vic.gov.au) or the Smoke alarm page on the Maroondah website.