The CFA and Fire Rescue Victoria are using this as a timely reminder to quality check household smoke alarms.
To check a smoke alarm, residents should press the ‘test’ button and wait for the beeping sound.
CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan emphasised the importance of monthly testing to keep families safe.
“Without a working smoke alarm in all living and sleeping areas of your house, you may not wake up if there is a fire,” he said.
The CFA has responded to over 14,000 residential fires in the past 10 years, resulting in 490 casualties.
To reduce this number significantly, the best way to keep families safe is to install interconnected smoke alarms, meaning that when any alarm activates, all smoke alarms will sound, allowing residents to evacuate early. For multi-storey homes, it is best to install a smoke alarm on each level.
FRV recommends replacing smoke alarms with interconnected alarms in all sleeping areas, living spaces and hallways. FRV acting deputy commissioner community safety Gavin Rooney said residents should test their smoke alarms every month and vacuum or dust them yearly.
Smoke alarms should be replaced or changed every 10 years. The end of daylight saving is an excellent time to replace smoke alarms.
When installing, checking or replacing smoke alarms, CFA and FRV recommend they be powered by a 10-year lithium battery and be located between each bedroom area and the rest of the house.
Smoke alarms should be installed in every bedroom and living area, on the ceiling at least 30cm from the wall, or on the wall at least 30cm from the ceiling to avoid dead air space.
Smoke alarms should be interconnected, and replaceable batteries should be changed yearly.
For more information, visit the CFA and FRV websites.
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