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Your home is where you should feel most secure. There are some steps you can take to make it feel even safer.
Criminals and burglars will often target unsecured locations, so it’s always smart to ensure all your doors and windows are locked. Even if you’re in a secure building or complex, it’s best to keep your door closed and locked, especially at night.
Fire is another safety hazard in the home that can be easily avoided. Always extinguish candles and other open flames and never leave them unattended. Never use an electrical item if the cord is frayed or damaged.
In Victoria, every home must have working, compliant smoke alarms fitted. If you have concerns about the smoke alarms in your accommodation, contact your landlord or housing provider.
You may want to consider purchasing contents insurance to help with the cost of replacing your valuable items if they are damaged or stolen.
Stay battery safe
Many portable devices such as laptops, mobile phones, e-scooters and e-cigarettes contain rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.
If a Lithium-ion Battery is improperly charged, handled, stored or disposed of there is a risk of overheating, catching fire or explosion.
This also increases the risk of a house fire, garage fire or personal injury.
Stay safe by following this important advice:
- Purchase products from a reputable supplier and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Only use chargers and cords that are originally supplied with that device. Using chargers with incorrect power delivery (voltage and current) can cause damage to the battery or overheating that can lead to fires.
- Only use batteries that are designed for that device.
- Avoid charging LEV batteries overnight or leaving devices unattended while charging. Once the indicator shows that a device or battery has been fully charged, disconnect it from the charger.
- Devices should always be charged on non-combustible surfaces.
- Avoid locations such as couches, beds and carpets.
- Check that chargers have the Regulatory Compliance Mark, to show that they meet the relevant Australian Standards:
For more information, visit Fire Rescue Victoria's page.
View transcript
[Speaker, Janice, sitting in a Melbourne laneway speaking with Fire Rescue Victoria, firefighter] So today we’re going to ask a firefighter the basic three things about fire safety. Today we’re here with Jason from Fire Rescue Victoria.
[Speaker, Jason, text on screen: Jason Wagland, Fire Rescue Victoria] Hi Janice, how are you? First thing to note about lithium ion battery safety is, making sure they don’t catch fire.
[Text on screen: Tip #1, Don't overcharge the battery]
And three of the reasons are that they catch fire, is because you overcharge them, which overheats the battery.
[Text on screen: Tip #2, Charge on a hard non-flammable surface]
Make sure that you charge it on a substance like concrete or a hard surface, not in the bedroom, on carpet or anything that’s going to catch fire.
[Text on screen: Tip #3, Use the charger supplied with the device]
Also, using the wrong charger. Whatever type of charger, you got to have exactly the same one as the bike or the e-scooter.
[Speaker, Janice] What's important to know about fire safety at home?
[Speaker, Jason] In your home, the most important thing is your smoke detector. And most homes have 2 or 3 smoke detectors.
[Text on screen: Smoke detectors are essential]
[Speaker, Janice] In a situation when there's a fire, or the fire alarm goes off, what are we supposed to do?
[Text on screen: If there's a fire, call 000]
[Speaker, Jason] If there’s ever a fire in the house or apartment or anything, do not be afraid to call 000.
[Speaker, Janice] Thank you Jason, it was great having you here today.
[Speaker, Jason] No problems, Janice, I've really enjoyed it. And if you ever need the Fire Brigade, just call us on 000. We're here 24/7.
[Study Melbourne logo]
Smoke alarms save lives
Fires are fast. A small fire can spread to an entire room in minutes.
Without a smoke alarm a fire is more likely to damage or destroy your property. It is also more likely to cause serious injury or death. When you are asleep you lose your sense of smell. A working smoke alarm will wake you if there is smoke.
Read more on the Fire Rescue Victoria website.
View transcript
[Scenes shows bedroom with desk, lamp and chair with prices overlayed.]
Speaker: These bedroom Essentials won't save your life. But one small device could.
[Zoom out to show bed and smoke coming from across the screen. Text on screen: Smoke alarm from $20. Make a smoke alarm your next bedroom essential]
Fires that start when you're sleeping are the ones most likely to kill.
Make a smoke alarm your next bedroom essential before it's too late.
The majority of fatal house fires start in bedrooms and living areas. That is why Victorian fire services are encouraging Victorians to install smoke alarms in all bedrooms, hallways and living areas. Learn about smoke alarms and their importance.
View transcript
[Inspiring music, text on screen: Fire rescue Victoria, followed by visual of speaker talking to camera, and various illustrative animations as a graphic representation of the storyline]
Speaker 1: If a fire starts in your home, you need a working smoke alarm to give you an early warning and time to escape safely.
Did you know when you're asleep you can't smell anything? Not even the smoke from a fire in your home, but you'll definitely hear a working smoke alarm.
[Text on screen: Working smoke alarms save lives]
That's why it's so important we have working smoke alarms at home. Here's what to do to make sure they keep us safe.
[Text on screen: Where are your smoke alarms?]
First, check You have enough smoke alarms. How many do you have in your home? The law says you need at least one in each level of your home, but the more the better. To be the safest we can, there should be a smoke alarm in all bedrooms, living rooms, and hallways.
[Text on screen: Test your smoke alarms every month]
And did you know you should test them every single month? Press the test button on the smoke alarm for two or three seconds to check if it's working.
[Text on screen: If the smoke alarm is not working, you may need to change the battery or the whole alarm]
If the smoke alarm is not working, you may need to change the battery or the whole alarm.
[Text on screen: Renters should test their smoke alarms every month and tell their rental provider if they're not working]
Renters should test their smoke alarms every month and tell their rental provider if they're not working.
[Text on screen: Change the battery every year]
If you have a smoke alarm with a nine volt battery, the battery needs to be changed every year. If it makes a single beeping sound, that means it needs a new battery.
[Text on screen: Change your smoke alarms every 10 years]
And no matter what kind of smoke alarm it is, you need to replace the whole unit every 10 years.
[Text on screen: Install smoke alarms with long life batteries]
When it is time to get a new smoke alarm, the best option is a 10-year lithium battery smoke alarm. A 10-year lithium battery smoke alarm is best. They last the whole 10 years. You never need to change the battery. But remember, only an electrician can change a smoke alarm if it's connected to electricity.
[Text on screen: Install interconnected smoke alarms]
For the best protection, all smoke alarms should be interconnected so that when any alarm sounds, they will all sound.
[Visual of firefighter talking to camera]
[Text on screen: Smoke alarms save lives]
Make sure you test your smoke alarms regularly. Only working smoke alarms save lives.
[On-screen logo]
Fire Rescue Victoria
[End transcript]
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