Work from home adds to risk of house fires

Many people working from home and cold weather increasing the time people spend inside their houses has added to the risk of house fires.
Emergency services Fire Rescue Victoria and the Country Fire Authority said winter was a high risk time for residential fires and urged people to be well prepared.
Fire Rescue commissioner Ken Block and CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan stress the need for householders to have a Fire Escape Plan and practice it as well as ensuring there are working smoke alarms in the right places
They said that on average 18 Victorians die each year in house fires with children, older people, those with disabilities and smokers were at a greater risk of not surviving.
Commissioner Block said a Fire Escape Plan should identify two ways to get out of each room and a common place to meet, such as near the letter box, if there is a fire.
Mr Heffernan said being well prepared, whether a home owner or renter, increased the likelihood of escaping safely.
If there is a fire get out and stay out, never go back inside and call Triple Zero (000) for the nearest available phone, he said.