Everyday around Australia preventable fires occur in the home. Fires can strike without warning at anytime. The results of a home fire can be tragic, resulting in loss of possessions, burn injuries, smoke injuries and even loss of life. A working smoke alarm protects families from these tragedies.

• A smoke detector is recommended in the main living area.
• The preferred type of smoke detector is a hardwired one with a battery backup. These need to be connected by a qualified tradesperson.
• Battery operated alarms can be easily self installed to the wall or ceiling, make sure you read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Know the sound the smoke detector makes.
• The battery in both types should be changed at least once a year.
• Test smoke detectors monthly to ensure they are in good working order.
• Clean smoke detectors every six months using a soft brush or the vacuum cleaner.
• Have a Home Fire Escape Plan and practice this with your family to ensure all family members know what to do in the event of a fire.

Curtain and blind cords can be a real danger to your children. Children can get caught in the cords and be strangled. This can happen when the cords are too long or they end in a loop, and when furniture or bedding is too close to the windows.

• Keep furniture away from windows to prevent children climbing up and reaching curtain or blind cords.
• Replace curtain cords with curtain or blind wands whenever possible.
• Alternatively, ensure excess curtain and blind cords are secured to the wall at least 1600mm above the ground to prevent strangulation.
• Various clamps, cord shorteners and cord windups are available to reduce the length of cords.
• You can also wrap the cord around a cleat (from hardware stores) attached to the wall near the top of the curtain or blind.
• If you have vertical blinds you can install a cord tensioning device which encloses the cord or chain loops.

Little fingers can become jammed in door hinges, while open doors can allow children to access rooms that may contain hazardous items. Products can be bought to keep doors both open and closed.

• Doorstops, wedges and door catches are important to use in doors to prevent children slamming fingers between doors and doorframes.
• Door knob covers fit over door handles and make them difficult for children to open.
• Keep doors shut at all times to areas that are not safe for children.
• Fit external doors with child locks that are out of their reach.
• Glass sliding doors should be made with safety glass to avoid injury in case of breakage.
• Safety stickers on glass sliding doors at you child’s head height so everyone is the house knows the door is closed.

The dangers associated with electrical injuries warrants specific care and safety design features to be incorporated throughout the home.

• Residual Current Devices (RCDs) are mandatory for all knew homes and should be considered essential additions to all existing homes. RCDs, otherwise known as Safety Switches, are able to detect any flow of current to earth and will immediately cut off power should a fault occur.
• Regularly test RCDs, at least three to four times each year.
• Provide sufficient power points to avoid trailing flexes and double adaptors.
• When purchasing an existing home, have a safety check completed by a licensed electrical contractor. Safety checks should be completed every ten years.
• Install outlet covers over unused power points.
• Keep cords for entertainment units inaccessible and tidy, out of children reach.
• Maintain all electrical goods and repair or discard when required.

Children can be easily burnt from coming into contact with flames or the hot exterior of heaters. The choice of heating appliance, as well as the use of guards can help prevent children from being able to make this contact.

• Install a safety guard around fires and heaters to prevent children from touching the heat source and being burned.
• Ensure that the safety guard is fixed to the wall.
• Consider reverse cycle air-conditioning, convention heaters or wall mounted heaters in preference to floor mounted heaters.
• Heaters should always be turned off overnight.
• Make sure that heaters are kept well away from furniture, curtains, clothing, bedding, couches and other flammable materials.
• Dress children in low fire risk clothing that is close fitting and made of less flammable material – check clothing (especially nightwear) for low fire risk labels.
• Be aware that cotton is highly flammable.
• Keep lighters, matches and ashtrays out of reach of children at all times.

Slippery floors can increase a child’s risk of falls, while long carpet can hide hazardous items in areas such as sewing rooms.

• Avoid slippery high polished floors.
• Use rug grips to prevent slipping.
• Make sure floor coverings are in good condition.
• Impenetrable floor coverings such as tiles, floor boards or vinyl, or a plastic mat, should be placed under sewing areas. This prevents needles and pins from becoming lodged and lost.

Young children are vulnerable to injuries from furniture due to their short height, lack of coordination, lack of experience and inquisitive natures. Children may fall from furniture and furniture may fall on top of children if they attempt to climb it. Sharp corners and edges can cause contusions, bruises and abrasions, while cupboards and drawers can contain potentially hazardous items.

• Try to ensure benches and furniture have rounded edges when less than 900mm above floor level.
  
• Use corner protectors on benches, coffee tables and other sharp cornered furniture to minimise harm from bumps and falls.
• Make sure that free standing furniture such as bookshelves, wall units and cabinets are secured to wall or ground to avoid toppling over on children.
• Safety latches should be installed on any drawers or cabinets that you don’t want your child to access in the living room. These also prevent injuries resulting from fingers getting caught in doors.
• Do not place furniture near windows or next to balustrades to eliminate climbing paths for children.
• Child resistant cupboards should be used for the storage of alcohol.
• Furniture should be chosen which is difficult for children to overturn.

Falls are the most common cause of injury to children. Stairways should be designed in a way to minimise falls, and children’s access to stairs should be restricted.

• Avoid spiral stairs or winders if possible.
• Ensure all flights of stairs have a hand rail (a minimum of 865mm vertically above each step) which permits continuous movement of the hand without obstruction.
• Avoid long flights of stairs. It is desirable to have “U” or “L” shaped flights as preferred to one continuous flight.
• Gaps between vertical bars should not exceed 100mm.
• Ensure steps are slip resistant.
• Steps and stairs should be well lit. Children should be able to reach light switches or else use nightlights.
• Use gates or barriers at the top and bottom of stairs to keep young children from falling.

Use corner protectors on benches, coffee tables and other sharp cornered furniture to minimise harm from bumps and falls

• Use non slip mats/coasters on coffee tables instead of table clothes to avoid children pulling contents on top of themselves.
• Have family members and guests place hot drinks in the centre of the table or somewhere out of reach.
• Avoid glass top tables that break more easily if sat/stood upon.

Televisions pose the combined risks of electrical items and heavy items of furniture. They can cause serious injury to children who attempt to climb upon them, as well as posing an electrocution risk.

• Place televisions on appropriate stable and fixed cabinets or table with sufficient surface area to prevent them falling onto children.
• Secure TV’s to the wall whenever possible to avoid toppling over on children.
• Never place items that children want on top of televisions.
• Keep cords inaccessible and tidy, out of children’s reach.