We're packed with information on fire safety, whether it be for Landlords, Renters, Businesses, Rural, Urban, Marae or simply educating the kids...

Please read this stuff - the safety of life and property really depends on it...

SMOKE ALARMS

SMOKE ALARMS SAVE LIVES - THE HONEST TRUTH....
- Fire and Emergency NZ personnel attend on average almost 4,000 house fires a year. In over 80% of those fires, smoke alarms were either not installed or not working. - Most fire fatalities occur in homes, mainly while people are sleeping - you can't smell smoke when asleep!
- Smoke alarms are the best possible defense you and your family have from succumbing to a fire.

What sort of smoke alarm should I install at home?
- Long-life photoelectric type smoke alarms; they provide a minimum of 10 years smoke detection. They remove the frustration of fixing the 'flat battery beep' at inconvenient times. The cost of replacement batteries for standard alarms means the long-life one effectively pays for itself over its lifetime. Saves anyone, especially the elderly having to scale ladders to replace batteries when needed.

Check your smoke alarms!
- Test every month.
- Give them a gentle vacuum through to remove dust.
- Get 10 year photoelectric smoke alarms.

At a MINIMUM, you should install one standard photoelectric alarm in the hallway closest to the bedrooms, but IDEALLY one in every bedroom, hallway and living area. Our local Risk Reduction Team can help you sort smoke alarms and their best placement. Book a home fire safety visit today.

Having a plan for what to do incase of an emergency is very important and can be the difference between a close call and a disaster. Create an escape plan for you and your family, HERE.

WINTER SAFETY TIPS

CHIMNEY FIRES - (How to avoid them)
Make sure that:
- You have your chimney professionally cleaned and inspected at least once a year. A professional chimney sweep will do more than brush out your chimney. They will also inspect your chimney for cracks, damage to liners, improper installation and much more.
- Your wood is dry. If it is not fully cured or wet, it will not burn as hot as dry wood normally does. It will also produce more smoke. Burning wet wood can also lead to creosote building up faster in your chimney.
- You do not burn treated woods or any sappy pines, which can contribute to the creosote buildup.
- You burn the hardest firewood you can find, ideally something that has been seasoned for at least one year. Additionally, build smaller fires as large compact bundles of wood produce cooler fires.
- Lack of air supply also causes chimney fires. If your fireplace cannot draw in enough air, creosote forms.
- You never leave your fireplace unattended.
- Flammable liquids are NOT used to start or accelerate the fire.
- The area around the chimney or woodstove is clear of any debris, decorations and flammable materials.
- Carbon Monoxide detectors are installed in your home as the finishing touch to provide peace of mind and keep your family safe throughout the year, not just during the cold winter season when we have our fireplaces on.

ELECTRIC HEATERS - (Including oil heaters and fan heaters)
Make sure that:
- Heaters have at least a metre of clear space surrounding them while in use.
- Heaters are plugged directly into a wall socket.
- Clothing and other items are not left to dry on top of heaters.

LPG GAS HEATER - (If the heater doesn’t light straight away, turn it off then try again. Don't let the gas build up before trying to relight it.)
Make sure that:
- Heaters have at least a metre of clear space surrounding them while in use.
- Your gas hose shows no sign of damage or wear.
- Fresh air is coming into the house while the heater is in use.
- Your gas heater has been serviced within the last 12 months.
- Any clothing and other items are not left to dry on top of heaters.

INDOOR FIRES - (Pop a reminder in your calendar to get your fireplace cleaned before you light the first fire of the season)
Make sure that:
- The chimney flue has been cleaned in the last year.
- A fireguard or spark guard is always used when the fire is lit.
- Matches and lighters are kept out of reach of children.

HOT ASHES - (Did you know ashes can take up to 5 days to cool completely?)
Make sure that:
- Ashes are left to cool before disposing of them.
- Ashes and/or ashtrays are emptied into a metal bucket/bin.
- Water is poured over hot ashes in a metal bucket/bin.
- You mix the water into it to avoid a crust settling on top, which will otherwise keep the heat in underneath.
- Leave it for a few days.
- You put it on your garden.

CLOTHES DRYERS - (Don't install a smoke alarm in your laundry, as you might get false alarms. Try a heat alarm instead)
Make sure that:
- The lint filter is cleaned before every use, to avoid lint build-up and risk of fire.
- The dryer isn’t overloaded.
-There is space around the dryer to allow for proper venting.
- The full cycle is used, including cool down.

ELECTRIC BLANKETS - (Check for hotspots in your blanket by turning it on high for 15 mins, then switching it off and running your hand over the blanket)
Make sure that:
- You have checked for hotspots before use.
- Blankets are less than 5 years old.
- Blankets are rolled during storage, not folded.
- Blankets are always turned off before going to sleep.
- Cords and controls are not twisted, and the blanket lies flat on the bed.
- Heavy objects are never placed on the bed while electric blanket is in use.

SUMMER SAFETY TIPS

Start with your home and work your way out:
- Keep grass short, watered and green during the Summer months.
- Keep gutters and areas around decks clear of dead leaves, debris and pine needles.
- Don’t store flammable material under or against your house or deck (including flammable doormats).
- Remove highly flammable plants close to your home and other buildings on your property.
- If you have vegetation against your house, consider removing it or replacing plants with less flammable species around your property.
- Your home and everything up to 30 meters surrounding it will determine if a fire can burn your house down.
(Unlike floods, hurricanes or earthquakes, there are simple and often inexpensive ways to make your home safer and increase its chances of surviving a fire.)
- More information HERE to reduce the risk of outdoor fires.

Firing up the BBQ:
- Never use a BBQ indoors or in an enclosed space – it’s not only a fire hazard but it can expose you or your family to dangerous and toxic gases.
- Place your BBQ well away from combustible objects or materials such as decks, fences or plants.
- Never leave your grill unattended when lit.
- Check your LPG Cylinders and lines to make sure they are properly fitted. Spray them with soapy water before using and if they bubble...you've got a problem!
- Clean the drip tray regularly.

FIREWORKS SAFETY TIPS

- Designate a responsible adult to be in charge of discharging all fireworks.
- Keep a water hose and bucket close at hand.
- Keep your audience a safe distance away and against the wind to avoid blowing debris in their direction.
- If you have a dud firework, place it in a bucket of water for at least 30 minutes before safely disposing of it.
- Keep sparklers away from children – they may seem like a safe novelty, but sparklers burn extremely hot and can easily set clothing ablaze.
- Avoid lighting them in enclosed spaces / under trees / in windy conditions.

Campfire Do’s and Don’ts:
- Check the rules of the area first to make sure fires are permitted - DOC campsites especially have signs that indicate this info.
- What's the fire season? Check It's Alright!
- Always build your campfire where there’s no risk of it spreading – well away from tents, trailers, dry grass, leaves, overhanging tree branches or anything else that could ignite.
- Never use petrol/accelerants as an aid to starting a campfire and definitely never add it to an open flame as the flame could travel up the stream and into the container in your hand. Our natural reaction then is to throw it.
- Keep plenty of water and a shovel around to douse the fire when you’re done.
- Always put your campfire out with sand (if possible) AND water.

ALL YEAR ROUND / OTHER INFO

- Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace the batteries if needed.
- Check your fire extinguishers to ensure they are in good working condition.
- Make sure everyone in your home is familiar with your building's or your family’s fire escape plan.
- Check that all windows and doors used in case of evacuation remain unobstructed and open easily.
- Having a burnoff? Need a permit? What's the fire season? CHECK IT'S ALRIGHT!!. Then, call our comms centre to let them know you're doing it.
- Ensure your house number is easy for emergency services to find.
- Make sure your driveway is wide enough to accommodate emergency vehicles (at least 4 x 4 metres).
- When building or renovating, consider using fire retardant or non-flammable materials, such as corrugated iron roofs, metal fences and double-glazing.
- If you live closer than 30 meters from your neighbor, it will pay to talk to them. What occurs on their property will impact on yours.

Batteries, chargers & multi-plugs - (Heat-generating devices include anything that produces heat when in use, even small appliances like hairdryers and toasters.)
Make sure that:
- One multi plug is used per heat-generating device.
- Chargers and cords are not damaged, modified or used with incompatible devices.
- Devices with lithium batteries are not used or charged after being dropped or damaged.
- Electrical cords aren’t frayed, damaged or modified.
- Electrical cords aren't coiled, or underneath carpet or bedding.
- Charging takes place on a hard, flat surface.