Fire safety

Smoke alarms

Smoke alarms are put in all our homes for our tenants’ safety - in living areas, the hallway, attached garages and one in each bedroom. They are safe and reliable when looked after, but if you think a smoke alarm may be faulty, let us know straight away.

We recommend you test your smoke alarms once a month and when you get home after being away. To test, press the test/reset button for about two seconds. The alarm will sound. When you take your finger off the button it will have reset and the light will blink continuously.

Clean smoke alarms every 6 months by gently dusting with a vacuum cleaner brush.

Call us on 0800 801 601 if:

• the red light stops blinking
• there is no alarm when you press the test/reset button
• the smoke alarm continuously makes an unusual noise or chirps.

If you accidentally set off the smoke alarm – for example, by burning some toast - open the windows to air out your home and press the hush button if it has one.

Other tips

Cooking

• Don't leave anything cooking on the stove unattended – ever.
• Don't drink and fry. Falling asleep while cooking is the leading cause of house fires in New Zealand.
• Turn off the heat if the cooking oil or fat is smoking.
• Regularly empty crumbs from the toaster and clean the oven.
• Store flammable items like paper, tea towels/cloths or cleaning supplies away from stoves and heaters.

Summer

• Before you light up the BBQ give it a good clean. If its gas, check the gas hose for leaks using soapy water.
• Never leave open flames like BBQs or candles unattended. Put a candle out if you're leaving the room for any length of time.
• Be cautious with outdoor fires like a fire pit, keep it small and contained. Don’t light outdoor fires when it is windy. 
• Don't let off fireworks, they're banned in many places in summer. They can start wildfires that quickly get out of control, especially when it's windy.

Winter

• Never hang laundry over a heater – it may catch fire. Dry clothes at least one meter away from an indoor heater. 
• Remove the lint from your clothes dryer each time you use it. A build up can lead to it catching fire. 
• Keep furniture and curtains at least one metre from heaters and the fireplace.
• Fireplace ash can take 5 days to cool, so store it in a metal bucket and keep it away from your home.
• Always turn off your electric blanket at the wall before getting into bed.

Here’s a good to know video that provides helpful information on how you and your whānau can be safe at home.