Fire safety equipment
Practise what to do. Know your equipment. Only use a fire blanket or fire extinguisher within the first few seconds of ignition if you feel confident.
Fire blankets
- Keep fire blankets accessible in the kitchen and away from the stove.
- Take hold of the two tabs and pull the blanket from its bag.
- Hold the tabs towards yourself and protect your hands.
- Walk slowly towards the fire and stretch out your arms in front of you.
- As the blanket touches the top of the stove, place it over the fire.
- Leave the blanket over the pot for at least thirty minutes.
- If it's safe to do so, turn off the gas/electricity at the stove or at the main supply.
- Call Triple Zero (000). Firefighters will attend.
Important notes:
- NB. A fire blanket is designed to be used once only.
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
- Locate equipment near exit door.
- The Australian Standard symbol on the packaging shows if the equipment is approved and safe to use.
Fire extinguishers
There are four (4) basic steps for using modern portable fire extinguishers.
The acronym PASS is used to describe these four basic steps.
- Pull out the pin and test the extinguisher. Walk slowly to within 2 to 3 metres of the fire.
- Aim at the base of the fire.
- Squeeze the handles together.
- Sweep the powder at the flames from side to side. Continue until the fire is out.
- If it is safe to do so, turn off the gas/electricity at the stove or at the mains supply. Call Triple Zero (000). Firefighters will attend.
How to use a fire blanket
Did you know?
The use of heaters, cigarettes and candles are common causes of fires.
When you're asleep, you won't smell the smoke from a fire.
You're twice as likely to die in a home fire if you don't have a working smoke alarm.
Electrical appliances and faults cause almost 40% of home fires.