Clean the lint filter on your clothes dryer every time you use it

Each year there are thousands of house fires in Australia, causing many injuries and deaths. The tragedy is that most are started by accident and could have been prevented.

House fires can happen to anyone but there are some easy things you can do to reduce the risk. Below are some tips to prevent and survive a house fire:

1. Install smoke alarms. Most fire fatalities occur at night and you can't smell smoke when you're asleep, so smoke alarms are essential. Test your smoke alarms once a month and change the batteries at least once a year. Pick a day like a public holiday so you don't forget

2. Did you know that about 40% of house fires start in the kitchen? Don't leave cooking unattended to help reduce this risk

3. If you throw water on a burning fat or oil fire, it will cause an explosive reaction. Put a lid over a burning pan or use a fire extinguisher or fire blanket

4. Lock matches and lighters away out of sight

5. Don't dry clothes near heaters

6. Put guards around open fires and heaters. Never leave an open fire burning or radiant heater switched on when you go to bed

7. Check lights and lampshades to make sure fittings aren抰 getting too hot

8. Clean the lint filter on your clothes dryer every time you use it

9. Make a fire escape plan with the family. Draw a floor plan with arrows to mark at least two ways out (including windows) of every room

10. Practise 'Get down low and go go go? In a fire the air is best for breathing near the floor. And 'Stop, cover, drop and roll.' If a person's clothes catch alight, stop them from running and roll them on the ground to put out the flames

11. Install safety deadlocks that can be opened from the inside without keys. If a door does need a key to operate, leave keys in deadlocks when you are home (provided they can抰 be seen from the outside)

And most importantly, in a fire every second counts. Don't stop to pick up possessions or call the fire brigade. Your only priority is to get out. Call '000' (triple zero) from your neighbour's phone.