Living in temporary accommodation during bushfire recovery and rebuilding

Fact

Having a home escape plan and a working smoke alarm increases your chances of getting out safely.

Ensure you have a working smoke alarm as only working smoke alarms save lives.

You must have at least one working smoke alarm on each level of any dwelling people sleep in including caravans.

Regularly test your smoke alarm and replace with a 10-year lithium battery alarm if required.

It is the home owner’s or landlord’s legal responsibility to replace smoke alarms when necessary.

Visit www.fire.nsw.gov.au/smokealarm for further information.

When cooking in a new environment familiarise yourself with the new equipment and always keep looking when cooking. Over 50% of all house fires start in the kitchen.
In your temporary accommodation know and practice your home fire escape plan. Ensure all exit routes are clear from obstacles and meet at the letter box or agreed meeting point. Visit www.fire.nsw.gov.au/escapeplan to download a plan.
In case of a house fire get out, stay out and call Triple Zero (000). Never go back inside.
When using power boards don’t overload them. Always plug heaters directly into a wall socket.
Never use outdoor heaters, BBQ equipment or burn charcoal or coal inside. Never use an unflued gas heater overnight in the room where you sleep. A build up of Carbon Monoxide can be fatal.
If your temporary accommodation has a fireplace ensure the chimney is clean before using it this winter and use a sturdy fire screen in front of it.
Always keep everything a metre from the heater.
Never smoke in bed and ensure discarded butts are fully extinguished.
Extinguish candles when you leave the room.
Here’s a hint, clean your lint! Clean your dryer lint filter before and after use.