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Minimise the risk of home fires this winter - Wormald

24 June 2013: A warm home on a cold winter day may conjure up thoughts of safety and security, but the reality is that portable heaters, electric blankets, open fires and radiators all pose a potential fire threat.

80% of fire fatalities in New Zealand occur in the home and the New Zealand Fire Service attends over 3,500 home fires each year1. As winter is one of the most common times of year for house fires, fire protection specialist Wormald is urging householders to be extra vigilant.

According to Peter Fermor, Managing Director of Wormald, householders must take adequate measures to help minimise risk. “Many fatalities due to fire occur when occupants are sleeping and it’s important to remember that while sound can disrupt sleep, scents cannot. Working smoke alarms are a crucial line of defence for every home; vital for early detection of a fire and for limiting the damage and cost caused by fire. Smoke alarms can also assist in providing the precious time needed to escape,”

Fermor continues, “Smoke alarms, fire extinguishers and fire blankets are essential tools for defending a home against a fire. However, it’s not enough to simply have these products in the home. Householders need to be aware of how to use the equipment should the situation arise. It is also important to know where best the equipment should be located within the home and when it needs to be serviced or replaced.”

Householders can help minimise the risk of fire in their own home by simply running through a mental checklist before leaving the house or going to bed.

Checklist
• Ensure heaters are placed a minimum of three feet away from anything that could potentially burn. Be sure to switch off from the appliance as well as on the wall
• Check smoke alarms once a month to ensure they are working correctly. Change the batteries every 12 months and make sure there is a smoke alarm on every floor of the home
• Ensure all heating equipment is clean and in proper working order. Inspect electrical cords and replace if cracked or damaged
• Switch off electrical blankets before going to beds
• Blow out any candles before going to bed
• When cooking, don’t leave unattended. If you need to leave the room, switch off the stove

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