Within three minutes a fire can spread throughout a home, burning hotter than 800 degrees.
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Each year the Tasmania Fire Service responds to more than 350 house fires and this state has one of the highest fire fatality rates per capita in Australia.
To lower the fire risk associated with winter heating in the home, the service has urged residents to take time and learn safety techniques.
Tasmania Fire Service station officer Anthony Goss took time from his schedule to encourage people to read-up on fire prevention.
Mr Goss said the first, and most obvious way to ensure your safety, was to install a working smoke detector.
“It’s a requirement those smoke detectors are placed in all the sleeping areas of the home and they are working and operational,” he said.
While detectors go a long way to preventing the loss of life, Mr Goss said it was equally important to prevent a fire from starting.
He called on residents to utilise their heating systems appropriately as the temperature dropped.
People with wood heaters should check their flues are not blocked, and ensure no flammable material is kept near the fireplace.
The Tasmania Fire Service recommends keeping clothes or other materials two metres from the source of heat.
Despite the dangers of an unkept fireplace inside a home, the majority of house fires begin in the kitchen.
According to the service, fires are usually started when pots are left on the stove unattended.
Mr Goss said there was a handy phrase to combat the common stove fire.
“Turn it off before you turn away,” he said.
With many places in the home offering some level of fire risk, Mr Goss called on residents to visit the Tasmania Fire Service website to learn more.
“It’s a very easy way to find out information relevant to home fire safety,” he said.
“There’s a few tips and pointers there the public can use in relation to smoke detectors and evacuation plans for the whole family as well as tips on the safe use of heaters and electrical appliances.
“As we head into this time of the year it is important that people keep up their good housekeeping techniques.”
Mr Goss said the majority of fires could be prevented.
“A lot of fires that we get called to quite often are minor fires relating to a heating item,” he said.
“It’s not often an electrical fault – it’s more the misuse of electrical items that cause fires.”
To minimise the electrical fire risk; do not overload power points, check plugs regularly and do not place extension cords under carpets or mats.
For more information visit www.fire.tas.gov.au.