NRMA Insurance is urging some Queensland parents to take fire safety more seriously, with research suggesting almost one in three families with children living at home have intentionally disabled their smoke alarms.
NRMA Insurance State Manager Brett Robinson asked parents to be particularly vigilant with low winter night temperatures putting heaters back into use.
"The cooler months are traditionally a peak period for house fires so now is an important time to be aware of fire hazards at home," he said.
"It's concerning that almost one in three families are choosing to put their children's safety at risk by intentionally disabling their alarms.
"In Queensland it's a legal requirement for all homes to have at least one functioning smoke alarm on each storey* - and there's good reason for that. Time and time again, smoke alarms have proven to be life savers."
The survey also showed more than 20 per cent of households without children at home had also intentionally disabled their smoke alarms.
"Smoke alarms that are not working properly or located in a bad position in the home can cause false alarms," Mr Robinson said.
"While false alarms can be annoying, we need to take every alarm seriously.
"In Queensland around half of home fire deaths happen between midnight and 8am**, when most people are sleeping. So if you've intentionally disabled your alarm and fire ignites, you really are risking your life and the lives of everyone else in your home."
Top NRMA Insurance home fire safety tips:
- Install a smoke alarm(s) and check to see if they are working once a month. If you have battery operated alarms, change the batteries at least once a year;
- Do not disable your smoke alarm
- Have an evacuation plan and make sure everyone in the house knows and practices it regularly;
- Keep a fire extinguisher and fire blanket at hand;
- Do not key-lock deadlocks on doors when you are home in case you need to leave in a hurry; and
- Call triple zero immediately if fire does break out and cannot be safely and quickly controlled.
NRMA Insurance also sponsors the QFRS Safehome program, a free check provided by operational fire-fighters to help households reduce the risk of fire and learn what to do if fire starts. To arrange your free Safehome check, contact the QFRS on 1300 369 003.
For more information on home fire safety, go to NRMA Insurance.
* For houses built pre 1997, a minimum requirement is a nine volt battery operated smoke alarm. For houses built post 1997, or older homes undergoing major renovations, the requirement is a 240 volt hard-wired smoke alarm.
** Queensland Fire and Rescue Service - Smoke Alarm Laws - Your Questions Answered
