30/06/2009

30 June 2009

Archicentre Push on Environment and Safety

Archicentre, the building advisory service of the Australian Institute of Architects, has launched a campaign to promote safety and energy efficiency around the home to their customers.

Carnie Spink from Archicentre with the free Home Buyers Pack

David Hallett General Manager Archicentre said the campaign is focused on continuing the awareness of fire prevention, security and environmental management in the home by the provision of the Archicentre Home Buyers Pack. Archicentre has combined with MFB, CFA, RACV, Nursery Garden Industry Victoria and Field Force to provide anyone who books a pre-purchase inspection with a free Home Buyers Pack. The free Home Buyers Pack contains: a Photoelectric Smoke Alarm; Fire Safety information for Adults and Children; RACV Home Security and Emergency Home Assist information; House Magazine; Energy Efficient light globes x2 and a Garden Voucher valued at $20. The MFB and CFA report the top 3 causes of residential structure fires between 1999-2008 was: * Electrical Issues (eg Short-circuit) 15.2% * Unattended (eg Cooking) 15.1% * Abandoned material (eg Cigarettes) 7.3% Commander Frank Stockton of the MFB said both the MFB & CFA want to remind Victorians that as we enter the winter period again the risk of having a fire in your home is increased.

"To give yourself and your family the best opportunity to escape the life threatening effects of a fire, you must have a smoke alarm installed and maintained. If you don't, you are 26% more likely to suffer serious injury or you are four times more likely to die."

Mr. Hallett said that Archicentre's pre-purchase house inspection statistics show that 34% of Victorian homes being offered for sale and inspected by Archicentre had an electrical fault which the new owner would not have been aware of.

During Archicentre's pre-purchase inspections Archicentre architects found 84% of homes inspected had smoke alarms installed; 16% did not.

Archicentre Fire Safety Check List

1. Correctly install appropriate Smoke Alarms into effective locations.
Test smoke alarms regularly and vacuum smoke alarm grille periodically.
- Replace the batteries annually. Use a long-lasting alkaline battery to ensure a continuous supply of battery power to your smoke alarm.

2. Prepare and practise an evacuation plan with an escape route, include door keys.
Install lever handle latch on doors for quick exit without keys.
Don't compromise your evacuation by locking yourself in with security grilles and key only operated dead locks on doors. Ensure security grilles are operable to open from inside the home.

3. Never leave the room when cooking or oil is being heated on the stove. If you throw water on a burning fat or oil fire, it will cause an explosive reaction.
Put a lid over a burning pan or use a fire extinguisher or fire blanket.
- Install a fire extinguisher - a dry powder type.
Obtain a Fire Blanket for kitchen stove top fires.
- Clean the exhaust fan grill over the stove to remove fire fuel fats and grease.

4. Clean the lint from the clothes dryer grille after each use.

5. Tidy up - remove if possible all extension leads. Push appliance power point plugs fully into power points and always turn off the power points when not in use.
Get rid of double adaptors and reduce use of power boards.

6. Unplug appliances when not in use and if possible have appliances checked annually by a licensed electrician.
Unplug the TV - don't leave it on standby - it may cause meltdown and fire.
- Switch off the electric blanket before you go to sleep

7. Install a Safety Switch on power and light circuits.

8. Never leave children alone around heating and cooking appliances and keep cigarette lighters and matches out of reach.

9. Use free standing space heaters with extreme care.
- Avoid hanging washing or clothes to dry too close to heaters as clothes can soon ignite.
- Turn off heaters when you go to bed.
- Have heating appliances professionally serviced annually for safety.

Open fire place - always place a safety fire screen in front of a burning open fire. Allow the fire to burn down, or put fire out before going to bed or going out

10. Don't smoke in bed. Ensure cigarette ash and butts are extinguished.

www.archicentre.com.au

Media Enquiries:
David Hallett General Manager Archicentre (03) 9819 4577 Mobile: 0439 439 115
Ron Smith Corporate Media Communications Archicentre (03) 9818 5700 Mobile: 0417 329 201