Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) statistics showed fire fighters attended 140 house fires across Queensland last year, and Northern Region Fire fighters had responded to 18 structure fires since the beginning of May this year, including more than a dozen house fires.
“Queensland householders need to be aware of the danger deadlocked doors pose to home occupants, especially during the high-risk winter months,” said Mr Heath. “Making the home secure against theft is important with deadlocked doors and windows and security grills. The critical issue during this high-risk period is that these security measures may prevent occupants from quickly escaping from a fire.
“Over the past few years, tragic fires have occurred across Australia and Queensland where victims were trapped in houses by deadlocked doors.
“It’s vital that residents leave keys in deadlocked doors when they are at home, to ensure people can get out of the house if a fire breaks out.
“You must be able to be able to quickly escape from a burning home, and this is especially important for the safety of elderly, infirm or young home residents,” said Mr Heath.
Sure Insurance urged householders to consider the security safety tips provided by the QFES:
- Install deadlocks that can be opened from the inside without keys.
- If keys are needed, leave the key in the lock or on a hook on the centre of the door but out of the reach of potential intruders.
- Limit the number of keys needed to open doors by having locks keyed alike.
- When installing security grills on windows, select a unit that features keyless options on the inside.
Ensure that any window grill bars/screens readily open outwards from the inside.
- Be prepared to smash a window as a means of escape. Use a solid object to break the window, and clear away jagged glass. Place a blanket over the window frame to protect yourself against cuts.
- If grills are key locked, the key should be readily on hand.
“Through adopting these home safety practices the winter season will be safer for all Queensland householders,” said Mr Heath.
For further information contact Mike Sopinski on 0421 052 598.
https://www.qfes.qld.gov.au/community-safety/home/Pages/Security.aspx