CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said fireplaces and wood heaters should never be left unattended, even when leaving home for only a short time.
“Logs can shift or roll, embers can escape and nearby combustible items can ignite within minutes,” he said.
“Always use a properly fitted fire screen, keep furniture, firewood and other combustible materials well clear of the fireplace, and make sure your home has working smoke alarms.”
FRV acting deputy commissioner community safety and operational training Mark Carter said regular maintenance of a fireplace and chimney was essential to reduce the risk of house fires.
“Chimneys and flues should be inspected every year before use in the colder months and cleaned to ensure a build-up of soot and debris does not ignite and cause a dangerous chimney fire,” he said.
“Residents should safely dispose of ashes in a metal container and keep them well clear of combustible materials, remembering that ashes can remain hot enough to start a fire for several days.”
Fireplace safety check list:
• Clean chimneys and flues every year
• Always place a metal screen in front of an open fire
• Keep clothing at least one metre away from fireplaces
• Never let a fire burn after you’ve gone to bed or left the house
• Ensure ashes are cold before discarding
• Never leave children unattended around fireplaces
• Make sure you have working smoke alarms and test them monthly
• Smoke alarms with a replaceable battery must have the battery replaced each year
• Smoke alarms fitted with a sealed 10-year long life battery do not need their battery replaced annually. However, every smoke alarm should be replaced at the end of its 10- year lifespan.
