Five tragic house fire deaths within days of each other in
Melbourne has lead to a call for a national house fire index similar
to the road toll which could be promoted as part of an ongoing
community awareness campaign on the deaths and injuries caused by
house fires in each state.
Archicentre, the building advisory service of the Royal
Australian Institute of Architects has warned security conscious
home owners could unintentionally turn their homes into coffins with
deadlocks on external doors without keys kept in the lock, and
people failing to install operating smoke alarms were dicing with
death.
Robert Caulfield, Managing Director
of Archicentre said, "It is common to have deadlocks on the front
and back doors of homes and if locked with the key removed creates a
highly dangerous situation for the occupants of the house.
"The simple rule is deadlock your doors when you are not in the
house but when at home just don't do it and place yourself and your
family at risk.
Image right: Robert Caulfield, Managing Director of
Archicentre
"The security blanket people are looking for with deadlocks can
turn into being a death sentence in an emergency.
"The lack of smoke alarms in many homes, given their low cost
makes it impossible to understand why people put themselves and
their families at risk."
From 2001 to 2006 there were 108 house fire deaths in
Victoria, according to the Melbourne Fire Brigade (MFB) and the
Country Fire Authority (CFA).
Mr Caulfield said that Archicentre often comes across the issue
through its management of the Victorian Government's Home Services
Program when it carries out free home safety inspections for older
Victorians.
"Last year we distributed over a thousand free smoke alarms to
older Victorians."
"It is all very well to have a smoke alarm installed in a home
but if it is not functioning or operating properly it is of no use
at all. Smoke alarms need to be tested on a regular basis - monthly
with a broom handle, and a new battery installed each year."
In a sample of 200 Victorian properties inspected by Archicentre
for the Home Services Program, 86% had smoke detectors installed and
14% didn't.
Archicentre believes several steps need to be taken to increase
public awareness of deadlock dangers including:
Warnings issued by builders at hand over time of new homes
Deadlocks to carry safety stickers
Consumer Affairs Departments provision of information
Warning signs where Deadlocks sold at DIY outlets
"Deadlocks are well named and unfortunately their misuse can lead
to death as it has tragically done in recent days," Mr Caulfield
said.
www.archicentre.com.au
Media Enquiries:
Robert Caulfield, Managing Director
of Archicentre (03) 9819 4577 Mobile: 0412 381 306
Ron Smith
Corporate Media Communications Archicentre (03) 9818 5700 Mobile:
0417 329 201
