Smoke Alarms

From May 1, 2006, all NSW residents must have at least one working smoke alarm installed in their homes. This includes rental properties, owner occupied, and temporary accommodation.

Smoke from a home fire is toxic, only early warning can assist in giving your family vital time to escape a smoke filled room.

Also, when asleep you will not smell the smoke from a fire and the smoke will actually put you into a deeper sleep.

A smoke alarm can provide the early warning you need and is the critical first step in your home fire safety plan.

Tips on smoke alarms:

• Install at least one smoke alarm on each level of your home
• Use only Australian Standard 3786 smoke alarms
• Replace alkaline batteries when daylight savings changes (2 April 2006)
• Test smoke alarms once a month
• Clean smoke alarms every six months – use a vacuum cleaner
• Get new alarms every 10 years, or earlier if they need replacing
• Ensure you have a home fire evacuation plan.