RACT Insurance are urging all Tasmanians to take the necessary measures to protect their homes and loved ones from a potential house fire after recent RACT Insurance claims data revealed the number of major house fires across Tasmania have increases by 36.2 per cent over the past four years, compared to the four years previous.
From July 2008, the total number of major house fires in Tasmania, classified as a house fire resulting in $100,000 damage or more, increased from a total of 47 claims between July 2008 and June 12 to 64 claims between July 2012 and June 2016.
RACT Insurance CEO Trent Sayers said while major house fires can occur at any time of year, the increased use of heaters during the colder months adds an extra element of danger.
“It is obviously important to stay warm during the winter, but too many homes are either damaged or completely lost because of basic human error,” said Mr Sayers.
“It is of serious concern to see RACT Insurance has received 17 more major house fire claims over the past four financial years, compared to the four financial years prior.
“To add to this, RACT Insurance market research shows just 38 per cent of Tasmanians have an emergency evacuation plan to get out of their house safely should a fire take hold.
“RACT Insurance cannot stress enough the need for every household to have an emergency evacuation plan to ensure all family members, housemates, friends and relatives know what to do in the event of a fire.”
RACT Insurance market research shows younger respondents were the worst performers, with 64 per cent of those aged 18-29 and 77 per cent of those aged 30-39 failing to have an evacuation plan.
“The best way to ensure your home was safe from fire was through effective methods of prevention,” said Mr Sayers.
“There are a number of simple steps people can take to ensure their home is safe, such as cleaning their flue regularly, ensuring smoke alarms are operating correctly and installing fire extinguishers.
“Many people only find out their smoke alarms aren’t working or their flues are blocked when an incident actually occurs, so it pays to be proactive and check these things before it’s too late.
“As a general rule of thumb, smoke alarms should be checked once a month and batteries replaced every year.
“Three minutes is all it can take to lose both your family and home in a house fire.”
For more information on home fire safety, visit http://www.fire.tas.gov.au/Show?pageId=colHomeFireSafety
As an initial guide, the following should be included in a fire evacuation plan:
Ensure smoke alarms are working
Know two safe ways out of every room
Ensure windows and doors open quickly when required and keys are kept in deadlocked doors
Decide on a safe outdoor meeting place, such as the letterbox
Remember to crawl low if caught in smoke
Once you are out, stay out.
RACT Insurance CEO Trent Sayers
