House fires

This page has information to help keep you safe from fires in houses and apartments.

How to keep safe from house fires

One of the most important things you can do for you and your family is to install smoke alarms in your home. In the Northern Territory, photoelectric smoke alarms are now a legislative requirement.

All residential premises, moveable dwellings, caravans and temporary accommodation, including safari-style tents, must have a working photoelectric smoke alarm installed as a minimum requirement.

Go to the Northern Territory Government website for more information on smoke alarms and fire safety.

Only working smoke alarms save lives. You should have a smoke alarm maintenance plan.

Your smoke alarm will give you precious moments to escape your home in the event of a fire. To further prepare you and your family in the event of a house fire, discuss and map a fire escape plan with all members of your household.

You could place your family in jeopardy if you don’t have an escape plan.

Your fire safety plan should include

• two ways out of every room
• being able to escape from windows easily
• a nominated safe meeting place.

In the event of a fire in your home, you should keep down low to avoid smoke inhalation. You can check that household members know what to do by practising your plan in the dark.

Go to Police, Fire and Emergency Services website for more information about fire escape plans including templates you can download.

How to keep safe from apartment fires

If you live in an apartment building, learn and practice your building's evacuation plan.

You should also:

• practice your plan at least twice a year
• know the fire alarm signals
• know where the exits are if you are going to have to use the stairs.

In the event of a fire you should do all of the following:

leave the building immediately if you hear the fire alarm

• only use the stairs - never use an elevator during a fire
• take your apartment keys with you.