“During winter, any items in the home should be kept at least three feet away from any heating equipment, and portable heaters and electric blankets should always be turned off when leaving the room or going to bed.”
Ms Worchurst added that a significant number of home fires in rental properties start from incidents around portable heaters.
This could be caused by damaged heaters catching fire, heaters not being put on a level surface and being knocked over by a child or pet, and portable heaters on extension leads becoming overloaded and catching fire.
Ms Worchurst said: “Many families are tempted to buy second hand heaters and cheap poorly made units online, but it’s always a better idea to invest in a new solid heater from an Australian manufacturer that is recognised by our local safety standards.”
Test your Smoke Alarm Day
Test your Smoke Alarm Day is held on 1 April every year and Ms Worchurst said property managers should encourage their tenants to test their smoke alarms on this day.
She added: “The fire departments around the country are encouraging all Australians to get behind Test your Smoke Alarm Day on 1 April each year.
“A compliant smoke alarm is a working one, because that’s the only smoke alarm that can save your life.
“Assuming it works is not good enough, and don’t take someone else’s word for it. Test your own smoke alarms and stay alive.”
Any property managers who would like to attend a free informative two-hour webinar on current NSW smoke alarm legislation run by Smoke Alarm Solutions are encouraged to register their interest on 1300 852 301.