Home fire safety - Testing
A house fire can take hold in three minutes, yet it only takes seconds to prevent one.
Be prepared by always ensuring that you have a working smoke alarm.
Smoke Alarms
One of best way to be prepared is to have an adequate number of suitable smoke alarms installed throughout your home.
Make sure that you test them regularly. Change the battery at least once every 12 months unless they are the newer 10-year batteries.
See the Fire and Rescue NSW website for information on the best smoke alarms to buy and how to install them.
Lithium-ion battery safety
Lithium-ion batteries are the fastest growing fire risk in New South Wales. It is important for you to understand the risks and be prepared if things go wrong.
- Make sure a smoke alarm or heat alarm is working in rooms where batteries are charged or stored.
Refer to the FRNSW Website for detailed information.
Home Safety Visit
The RFS offers Home Safety Visits to those who may need assistance in installing and maintaining safety in their home.
What is a Safety Visit?
During your Safety Visit, we will attend your home and check that you have working smoke alarms, that they are in good working condition, and are installed in suitable areas. If you do not have one, firefighters will install a long-life battery-powered smoke alarm as well as replace existing smoke alarm batteries all at no cost. With your permission, firefighters will also ask you to show us around your home and property. This will allow us to give you personalised fire safety advice.
Who might benefit from a Safety Visit?
Everyone can benefit from a Safety Visit, however there are people within our communities that are statistically at higher risk of incidents occurring, including:
- Over 65’s.
- Those who live alone.
- People with limited mobility, hearing impairments or vision impairments.
- Residents who are supported by carers, family and friends.
- And anyone with English as a second language.
This service is not available to landlords in untenanted premises, for landlords responsibilities please refer to Division 7A of Part 9 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 [external link] for more information.
