Fire safety

Kitchen

Never leave cooking unattended. If you must leave the kitchen, turn off the stove or appliances.
• Be careful when cooking with oil. Never throw water onto a fat or oil fire as it will cause an explosion.
• Do not cook in any area other than those created for cooking (kitchen).
• Do not store or use gas cylinders in the home.

Using electricity

• Do not use faulty or damaged electrical appliances, this includes using frayed cords.
• Use an approved power board and do not overload with more appliances than are intended for use.
• Make sure there is plenty of airflow around bigger appliances such as televisions, heaters, computers.
• Keep space around all appliances clean and tidy.
• Turn off appliances when they are not in use.

Naked flames

• Do not smoke in bed.
• Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children.
• Make sure you put out cigarettes before putting them in the bin.
• Be careful when lighting candles and oil burners.

Smoke alarms

• Make sure smoke alarms have batteries and are working.
• Notify HHS if any of your smoke alarms are broken.
• Keep your smoke alarms clean through dusting.

Batteries

Many portable devices such as laptop computers, mobile phones, children’s toys, e-scooters and e-cigarettes may contain rechargeable lithium ion batteries.

Stop using the battery if you notice strong odours, colour change, extreme heat, change in shape, leaking or unusual sounds (for example popping or hissing).

Don’t touch leaking or damaged batteries (use gloves) and clean up any spilled material carefully. If safe to do so remove the device away from anything that can catch fire.

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.

Bushfire safety

As the weather gets warmer it’s important for all Victorians to have a hot weather and bushfire plan.

There are some basic things you can do to ensure your property is prepared such as check that any vegetation within 10 metres of your home meets the following requirements:

Grass is no higher than 10 centimetres
No plant-based mulch or leaf litter more than 1cm deep
No shrubs over one metre
No shrubs next to or below windows
No overhanging tree branches

You should prepare your property even if your plan is to leave early on days of fire risk; this will give your home a greater chance of surviving a bushfire.

If any of the above issues are of concern to you, please contact the Haven Home Safe Maintenance Team on 1300 100 242 to discuss what action (if any) is required.

*Applicable for AHA long term renters who have their maintenance managed by HHS only.

In addition to the above there are many other measures you can take to keep your property safe. As part of the everyday care and maintenance of your home, we ask that you:

Ensure gutters are cleaned regularly to remove leaf litter (HHS will do this once a year closer to the hot weather)
Remove or relocate flammable items such as boxes, crates, or old furniture from your property
Face the safety release valve of all LPG cylinders away from the building
Store fuel supplies and chemicals away from the house

CFA fire ready kit

The CFA fire ready kit is a great resource if you would like to assess how well you have prepared your home in the event of a fire. The site provides helpful tips and links for bushfire preparedness and planning and steps you can take to protect yourself and your property.