Fires and Fire Safety

Follow the links below to find information on protecting yourself from fires inside and outside the home, including bushfires, and the psychological and physical health effects of fire.

Reviewed March 2010

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Related HealthInsite Topics
Burns and Scalds
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about burns and scalds, and their treatment and prevention.
20 Resources Found
Results 1 to 20 displayed.
Title:   Bushfires
Publisher:   Child and Youth Health - CYH (South Australia)
Description:   Bushfires happen quite often in Australia. Usually they are way out in the bush, a long way from towns. But sometimes they can be close to towns and cities.
Date:   Feb 2010
Title:   Bushfires and children
Publisher:   Child and Youth Health - CYH (South Australia)
Description:   Research on children who have been directly affected by bushfires shows that some children experience emotional distress for a long time after the bushfire.
Date:   Feb 2010
Title:   Bushfires - are you fire ready?
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Prepare your home for the bushfire season. Make sure you have a plan in place long before there are fires in your area. You also need to know what to do if you are on holidays in a bushfire region.
Date:   Jan 2010
Title:   Learn or burn - campfire safety
Publisher:   Child and Youth Health - CYH (South Australia)
Description:   Kicking a bit of dirt or sand on the fire to put it out isn't smart, because underneath it stays hot for more than eight hours. If you or your kids later touch the dirt-covered fire for just a second, it can still be extremely hot and it will burn skin!
Date:   Dec 2009
Title:   Learn or burn - campfire safety
Publisher:   Child and Youth Health - CYH (South Australia)
Description:   Kicking a bit of dirt or sand on the fire to put it out isn't smart, because underneath it stays hot for more than eight hours. If you or your kids later touch the dirt-covered fire for just a second, it can still be extremely hot and it will burn skin!
Date:   Dec 2009
Title:   Learn or burn - campfire safety
Publisher:   Child and Youth Health - CYH (South Australia)
Description:   Kicking a bit of dirt or sand on the fire to put it out isn't smart, because underneath it stays hot for more than eight hours. If you or your kids later touch the dirt-covered fire for just a second, it can still be extremely hot and it will burn skin!.
Date:   Dec 2009
Title:   Bushfires - people with a disability
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Some people living in the community are at higher risk during a bushfire. It is strongly recommended that people with a disability evacuate to a safe place the day before a forecast catastrophic fire danger day if they live in a high fire danger area.
Date:   Oct 2009
Title:   Bushfire season - prepare your mind
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   The bushfire season is a stressful time for a lot of people throughout Victoria. Those in high-risk areas will need to keep on alert throughout the summer and monitor conditions in their surrounding area. It is normal to feel anxious during this time of year and this anxiety may be worse for people who were affected by last summer's bushfires.
Date:   Oct 2009
Title:   Bushfire smoke
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Bushfire smoke can affect air quality. It contains fine particles and gases that can be breathed deep into the lungs and may be harmful to health. It is important to minimise your exposure. Ordinary face masks, handkerchiefs and bandannas do not offer adequate protection. Special masks are available at most hardware stores.
Date:   Oct 2009
Title:   Wood fires and breathing problems
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Smoke from wood fires can affect air quality and may affect people's health. Wood smoke is generated from wood heaters, incinerators, open air burning and bushfires. People most affected by wood smoke include those with heart or breathing conditions (including asthma) or complications from diabetes, infants and very young children, and frail older people.
Date:   Aug 2009
Title:   Safety from fire
Publisher:   Child and Youth Health - CYH (South Australia)
Description:   Fire is something that we all need to know about. Home fires can cause serious burns and even death, so homes should be as safe as possible from fire.
Date:   Jun 2009
Title:   Media release. More assistance to aid emotional recovery after bushfires
Publisher:   Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
Description:   The Australian Government will provide further resources to aid the emotional and psychological recovery of bushfire affected families and communities in Victoria.
Date:   Apr 2009
Title:   Bushfires and water tanks
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Bushfire ash, smoke and debris can contaminate water tanks. Dead animals and fire retardant can also contaminate drinking water in water tanks. If the water tastes or smells unusual, is cloudy or discoloured, or contains particles, you should assume it is contaminated
Date:   Nov 2008
Title:   Bushfire aftermath - hazards
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   After a bushfire, structures such as houses, sheds and other buildings can be dangerous. Hazardous materials may include asbestos, toxic ash, medicines, chemicals, metal and dusts. Wear protective clothing and seek expert advice when cleaning up after a bushfire.
Date:   Nov 2008
Title:   Pollution - air
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Pollutants in the air come from natural events (like bushfires) and human activities (including industrial processes). Examples of pollutants include gases, chemicals and airborne particles. People with respiratory conditions such asthma and heart disease should avoid strenuous exercise on days of high pollution.
Date:   Nov 2008
Title:   House fires
Publisher:   Raising Children Network (RCN)
Description:   Prevention of house fires, what to do in case of fire, and firefighting equipment and methods.
Date:   Oct 2008
Title:   Child safety - reducing injuries
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   The risk of injuries to a child in the home can be reduced by simple safety measures.
Date:   Jan 2008
Title:   Interventions for promoting smoke alarm ownership and function
Publisher:   John Wiley and Sons, Ltd. for The Cochrane Collaboration
Description:   Many people are killed or injured by house fires each year. Fires detected with smoke alarms are associated with lower death rates. This review found that programmes to promote smoke alarms increased smoke alarm ownership and function modestly, if at al...
Date:   Sep 2007
Title:   Reduced-Ignition Propensity Cigarettes: a review of policy relevant information.
Publisher:   Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
Description:   The report examines policy issues regarding reduced-ignition propensity cigarettes, which are cigarettes that have the reduced propensity to start fires, such as domestic house fires and bush fires.
Date:   Aug 2004
Title:   House fires and scalds: is your family at risk?
Publisher:   Multicultural Health Communication Service (NSW)
Description:   If fire breaks out in your home, chances of survival are twice as good if you have a smoke alarm installed. Scalds from hot water and hot drinks are among the commonest causes of serious injuries in young children.
Date:   Jul 1996
Results 1 to 20 displayed.