The importance of smoke alarms

The Queensland Fire and Emergency Services recommend that all residential accommodation be fitted with photoelectric smoke alarms.

When you go to sleep, your sense of smell also goes to sleep. If there is a fire, toxic fumes may overcome you before you wake up. Smoke alarms are devices that detect smoke and sound an alarm when activated.

Smoke alarms alert and wake people allowing valuable time to get out of a house during a fire.

When you go to sleep, your sense of smell also goes to sleep. If there is a fire, toxic fumes may overcome you before you wake up…

Smoke alarms should not be confused with smoke detectors, which are devices without an audible alarm function. Smoke detectors are generally used in commercial premises and connected to a central fire alarm system.

Reports indicate that the risk of death in a house fire is reduced by more than half if a properly maintained smoke alarm is installed.

1 July 2007 Government Legislation makes the installation of smoke alarms mandatory in all Queensland homes.

It is important that all Queenslanders both Owners, Occupiers and Tenants check, test and maintain the alarms in full working order.

Many see the alarms are fitted but do not have maintenance regime and hence to forget to test the units.

During house fires, poisonous smoke and fumes fill the house long before the heat and flames spread. This can actually put people into a deeper sleep rather than waking them and many die without ever waking up.

Every year fire-fighters are called to domestic fires in which people have lost their lives.

With a combination of properly fitted and working smoke alarms, an evacuation plan and other basic fire safety measures, deaths can be prevented. For more information on smoke alarms, click here.

We can help you understand your responsibilities and ensure you are correctly covered in the event of a fire. Please email us on tbib@tbib.com.au or call us on 07 3252 5254 and talk to one of our brokers.