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• Candles
• Cigarette Lighters, Matches and Sparklers
• Children's Clothing
• Ethanol (methylated spirit) Heaters/Fireplaces
• Portable Fire Extinguishers
• Smoke Alarms

Fire can cause serious injury, death or for personal belongings to be lost forever. Supervision is the key when it comes to children and fire, as children are often not aware of the dangers caused by heat and flames. If you follow these simple steps your home will be a safer place for you and your family!

Candles

Constant adult supervision is a must when it comes to candles around the home. Candles should always be kept out of reach of children, remembering that children love to climb. The area in which a candle is placed should be clear of blinds and curtains and away from other items which may catch fire. It is important to make sure all candles are put out if you are leaving the room or if you are going to sleep.

A permanent ban is in place in Australia which prohibits the sale of candles with wicks containing 0.06% of lead. These lead wick candles are a danger to people's health as they produce high levels of lead into the atmosphere.

Combustible candle holders are also prohibited from being supplied in Australia due to a permanent ban. If a candle holder catches alight and remains alight this can cause damage to property, serious burns, or even death.

Cigarette Lighters, Matches and Sparklers

Cigarette lighters, matches and sparklers are not items which children should play with. Ensure that if you have these items in your home they are always locked in a cupboard or kept out of the reach of children. Children are not aware of the risks of flames, or fire, which therefore increases their chance of injuring themselves, someone else, or starting a fire.

If you have disposable cigarette lighters in the home, ensure that they have a child resistant feature, as required under the Commonwealth mandatory safety standard.

Toy-like novelty lighters are not able to be supplied in Australia due to a permanent ban. Novelty lighters are often not able to be identified as a lighter and children may mistake them for a toy. Most children are not aware of the damage a flame can cause to themselves, or property around them, and they will not react as an adult would if something does catch on flames. This is why it is extremely important that lighters are kept out of sight, and reach of children.

Children's Clothing

It is important that children and adults do not wear flowing or lose fitting clothes around open flames as they may catch fire. This includes around open fires, BBQ's, gas stoves and candles.

Ensure that you follow the care labelling instructions for children's clothing. Some items of clothing are treated with a fire retardant, so it is important to always follow these instructions to ensure the fire retardant is not reduced.

There is a Commonwealth mandatory safety standard in place for Children's nightwear, which also covers paper patterns for children's nightwear. The standard requires children's nightwear garments to be labelled on the inside at the top centre of the garment with a fire hazard label which states either low or high fire danger. The high or low fire danger label is determined by the garment and fabric type. This label is there to assist parents in making an informed choice when purchasing children's nightwear.

Ethanol (methylated spirit) Heaters/Fireplaces

Ethanol heaters/fireplaces are fast becoming a very popular decorative item for the home. These heaters/fireplaces can be used both indoor and outdoor and are often free standing and unguarded whilst operating. Do not use ethanol heaters/fireplaces around children as they do not recognise the danger of the open flame and flammable liquid.

If you chose to have an ethanol heater/fireplace in your home ensure you do the following:

- Make sure you use the correct fuel (refer to instruction manual at all times)
- Use guards around the fireplace to ensure children/pets cannot access the heater/fireplace
- Never throw out the instruction manual and ensure you follow the manual AT ALL times
- Only use the heater/fireplace in a well ventilated area
- Do not place the heater/fireplace in a spot where children/pets can access or where clothing, curtains or furniture may catch light
- Never refill the fuel while the heater/fireplace is in operation.

Portable Fire Extinguishers

There are a number of different types of portable fire extinguishers which are made to extinguish different types of fires. Ensure that you are aware of the purpose of your fire extinguisher and that it meets the mandatory safety standard if you intend to use one in your home.

Smoke Alarms

South Australian homes are required to be fitted with a working smoke alarm. The Department of Planning and Local Government, Planning in South Australia, can assist you further with current information and laws on smoke alarms.

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