Ensuring Holiday Safety – A Comprehensive Guide to Protecting Your Home Against Fire

As the festive season fills our homes with warmth and joy, it is imperative to prioritise safety amidst the celebrations. From the glow of Christmas lights to the flicker of candles, each household, whether rented or owner-occupied, should be well-prepared to prevent and respond to potential fire hazards.  

In this handy guide we’ll cover general house fire safety, encompassing essential tips for Christmas decorations, emergency evacuation plans, valuable tips about bushfire resilience and more. 

Securing the Festive Glow: Christmas Lights Safety

• Choose LED Lights: Opt for energy-efficient LED Christmas lights, emitting less heat and reducing the risk of fire. 
• Inspect for Damage: Before adorning your home, meticulously check lights for frayed wires, broken bulbs, or signs of wear and tear. Replace damaged components promptly. 
• Turn Off When Unattended: Avoid leaving Christmas lights on overnight or when leaving the house. Unplug them when not in use to prevent overheating. 

Crafting a House Fire Emergency Evacuation Plan

• Develop a Plan: Collaborate with your household to create a detailed evacuation plan, identifying escape routes from every room and designating a meeting point outside. 
• Practice Regularly: Conduct fire drills to ensure everyone is familiar with the evacuation plan, enhancing preparedness and reducing panic in emergencies. 
• Assign Responsibilities: Designate specific roles during an evacuation, including someone responsible for pets, others for essential documents, and someone in charge of calling emergency services. 

Queensland Fire and Emergencies Service has created a convenient Emergency Evacuation Plan template for you and your household.  

Bushfire Resilience: Understanding Ratings and Precautions

• Know your Bushfire Attack Level (BAL): Check with local authorities to determine the BAL for your area, indicating the risk of ember attack, radiant heat, and direct flame contact during a bushfire. 
• Implement Fire-Resistant Landscaping: Choose fire-resistant plants, create defensible spaces, and maintain vegetation to reduce the risk of bushfires spreading. 
• Invest in Ember-Proofing Measures: Install ember-proof screens, metal gutter guards, and seal gaps around your home to prevent ember entry during a bushfire. 

N.B. In a world-first, Australians now have access to a free app to better prepare their home from bushfire risk. The Australian Government has contributed to groundbreaking work of the Resilient Building Council who have recently launched their free Bushfire Resilience Rating app. 

 Regular Maintenance of Smoke Alarms

• Test Alarms Monthly: Regardless of if you are a tenant or owner-occupier, it is good practice to ensure your smoke alarms are working by testing them monthly. Press the test button to confirm functionality. 
• Change Batteries Annually: To ensure smoke alarms continue to act as a first line of defence, replace batteries at least once a year or sooner if the low-battery warning sounds. 
• Update Alarms as Needed: Alarms over ten years old or not functioning correctly must be replaced for enhanced safety. 

If your property is enrolled in a Smoke Alarm Solutions maintenance plan, we will take care of all your smoke alarm safety needs. Speak to us for more information.    

Electrical Safety: Illuminate Festivities Safely

• Extension Cords: Ensure outdoor extension cords are designed for outdoor use and are in good condition. 
• Overloading Outlets: Avoid overloading power outlets with too many decorations, preventing overheating and fire risks. 

Navigating Cooking Safety

• Supervise Cooking: With increased cooking activity during holiday feasts, never leave cooking unattended, and be cautious with hot surfaces and open flames. 
• Check Appliances: Ensure kitchen appliances are in good working order, following manufacturer guidelines for safe use. 

By integrating these recommendations into your household practices, you’re gifting you and your family the lasting assurance of safety this festive season. Whether it’s managing the festive sparkle of Christmas lights, protecting your home against bushfire threats, or implementing general fire safety measures, these proactive actions guarantee that your home stands safe all year-round.   

Free Downloadable Fire Safety Infographic

To help remember the key points on home fire safety during the festive season, we’ve created a free downloadable infographic for tenants and homeowners.