Some items used around the home in winter may become a hazard if not used properly or checked regularly. Electric blankets and heaters may cause burns or other injuries, while other faulty electrical products that overheat can give electric shocks or even cause a fire.
Here are some winter safety tips for you to do around the home to help prevent these events occurring.
Across Australia each year, more than 50 people die from house fires with many more left injured. Most of these homes do not have working smoke alarms. A working smoke alarm reduces your chance of dying in a house fire by half.
When asleep you lose your sense of smell, and a working smoke alarm will provide you with the early warning alarm and time to escape. To ensure your smoke alarms are working do the following:
Heaters need to be checked every year, no matter their age. Make sure there are no exposed wires or loose connections on the cords. Only use one heating appliance per power point and switch it off at the power point when not in use.
Gas heaters must be vented adequately. The carbon monoxide produced by gas heaters is odourless, colourless and deadly. Therefore, it is very important to have your gas heaters serviced regularly by a qualified tradesperson, this will ensure that there are no carbon monoxide leaks.
There are some signs that may indicate that there is something wrong with a gas heater, including a difficulty with ignition, yellow flames, unusual smells or noisy or inoperable fans.
If you have an unflued gas heater, the toxic gases can be released directly into the home. You should never use an unflued gas heater in a bedroom, bathroom or small room without permanent ventilation.
Here are some extra heater use safety tips:
According to the ACCC an estimated 400,000 electric blankets have been deemed unsafe, since 2010. Faulty electric blankets can overheat, cause an electric shock, spark and potentially cause a fire. Therefore, it should be checked before use each year. Check for frayed cords and fabric, exposed elements, damaged cords or scorch marks. If you find any of this damage, you need to dispose of the electric blanket immediately.
Here are some extra electric blanket safety tips:
Although not electrical or toxic gas producing, the use of hot water bottles and heat packs should always be done with care to avoid burns and fires:
Increased rainfall, colder temperatures and heating units can all cause condensation within the home that can lead to the growth of mould in the home. Mould and dampness in the home can cause health problems. It can trigger nasal congestion, sneezing, cough, wheeze, respiratory infections and worsen asthma and allergic conditions. So it is important to remove mould and keep the affected areas ventilated to avoid regrowth.
Tips on controlling mould in the home:
There are several ways you can plan your winter safety in advance:
A little bit of planning, extra care and checking can and will go a long way when it comes to winter safety in the home.
References:
www.productsafety.gov.au/news/well-winter-safety-tips
www.healthdirect.gov.au/winter-health-hazards-at-home
www.cbs.sa.gov.au/campaigns/winter-safety-tips
www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/mould-and-your-health