The Country Fire Authority (CFA) and Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) are reminding landlords to ensure there is a smoke alarm on every level of the home and that they are kept in working condition.

A new advertising campaign launched by MFB and CFA today will run online, on radio and out of home for the next three weeks to show Victorians that the silence of not having a smoke alarm in your bedroom could be deadly.

Importantly, there is a new recommendation from the fire agencies for landlords to install interconnected smoke alarms in every bedroom as well as in hallways and living areas in a major change to previous home fire safety advice. 

A survey conducted in July 2019 of 2,547 Victorians aged 18–64 in revealed: 

• More than half (51 per cent) of people did not believe smoke alarms needed in be interconnected and in all bedrooms and living areas. 
• Only one fifth (20 per cent) of people tested their smoke alarms monthly. 
• Less than a third (30 per cent) of people did not believe they need to clean their smoke alarms with vacuums yearly, while less than half (46 per cent) of people actually did so. 

Both the Country Fire Authority (CFA) and Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) have also issued a warning to all tenants that it is their responsibility to test their smoke alarms monthly and clean them regularly with a vacuum.

The renewed call comes as new research from the state’s fire and rescue services has found that four out of five Victorians aren’t sleeping safely, with only 16 per cent of people going to sleep under the protection of a smoke alarm in their bedroom prompting the state’s fire services to update their smoke alarm recommendations. 

Data collected over the past decade revealed that most residential fire fatalities and injuries are from blazes which start in sleeping areas. 

New research has also discovered that many Victorians are confused or unsure about the usage, location and maintenance of smoke alarms. 

CFA Chief Officer and CEO Steve Warrington said while most Victorians know that they need to check and test their smoke alarms every month, some may not be aware of where they should be located. 

“CFA data shows that most casualties and injuries during home fires are a result of fires occurring in the bedroom,” CO/CEO Warrington said. 

“It is incredibly concerning seeing that research that says only 16 per cnet of people have smoke alarms in their bedrooms. It's really important that you have a smoke alarm in your bedroom, especially if you sleep with the door closed. 

“Your sense of smell decreases while you sleep and a working smoke alarm in the bedroom can mean the difference between life and death. 

“We know that smoke alarms can save lives and property - but only if they are working correctly.” 

For the latest information on smoke alarms visit www.mfb.vic.gov.au or www.cfa.vic.gov.au 

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