Keep your family safe during the cooler weather
As winter approaches and the weather gets cooler, we start to bring out products like heaters, heat packs, hot water bottles and electric blankets to keep us warm. Avoid safety risks when using these products by following our important safety tips to keep you and your family safe this winter.
Heaters
Sit your heater on a flat, level surface and keep it at least 1 metre away from combustible materials. Never use heaters designed for outdoors inside your home.
Fireplaces
Before you light a fire, check that your chimney is clean and well ventilated. Use a mesh screen in front of your fireplace to prevent sparks and wood from falling out.
Children’s clothing
Children’s nightwear such as pyjamas and dressing gowns can be highly flammable. Check the fire labelling on children’s nightwear to determine the fire risk rating for each garment. Keep kids away from open flames and heaters, avoid loose fitting sleepwear and be cautious of pyjamas bought online or overseas that may not comply with Australian mandatory safety standards.
Mould
Condensation that builds up on walls and windows can lead to mould growth and cause nasty health problems. Open windows each day to ventilate your home and clean up any mould as soon as you notice it. For more information on mould removal, go to the Northern Territory Government website.
Smoke alarms
Test your smoke alarm every month and change the batteries each year. If you’ve had your smoke alarm for more than 10 years, it’s time for a replacement.
Electric blankets
If you use an electric blanket to warm up your bed, read the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that cords aren’t frayed and that wires aren’t worn out. Always turn your electric blanket off before falling asleep and never place heavy items on top of the blanket when it is on.
Hot water bottles
Don’t overfill or use boiling water in your hot water bottle (use hot tap water) to avoid burning yourself. Hot water bottles can cause burns if placed directly on the skin, so always use a hot water bottle cover or wrap the bottle in a towel or fabric.
Wheat and heat packs
Follow the heating instructions, and if you smell something burning, allow it to cool and dispose of the pack safely. Always allow the pack to cool before reheating it again.
Candles
Never leave an open flame unsupervised, and make sure they are kept away from any combustible materials like curtains, clothing and bedding. Always supervise children around open flames and ensure lighters and matches are kept out of their reach.
Get the latest winter safety tips on the Product Safety Australia website. Keep up-to-date with product safety information and product recalls by subscribing to Product Safety Australia’s email updates and recalls RSS feeds.