In this article, you'll learn:
First, watch our Home Safety Specialist, John, explain why smoke alarms are so important.
Fire safety: Practical tips for fireproofing your home
Last updated on 14 July, 2026
When it comes to fire safety, don’t leave things to chance. By taking a few simple steps, you can reduce the risk of a fire damaging your home and belongings.
How’s it going? I’m John.
House fires tear through countless Aussie home every year.
So, you’re going to want an early warning system throughout your home.
Oh, there we go. Smoke alarm. Test them monthly. No beep? Get a new battery or a new alarm.
Allianz Prevention helps you catch common issues before they become problems.
Search Allianz Prevention to check out tips to care for your home.
Disclaimer: Booking fee applies for Home Health Check service (‘HHC’). Available to existing Allianz direct Home & Landlord Insurance customers living in eligible Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane postcodes. T&Cs apply. For full details of HHC service visit Allianz Prevention. HHC service delivered by AWP Australia Pty Ltd for Allianz Australia Insurance Limited. Tradespeople can be organised at homeowner’s request. Additional costs payable by homeowner.
Be smart and stay vigilant
Every year, more than 17,000 house fires happen in Australia. These fires can leave families devastated, needing to rebuild their homes and replace what they've lost.
Fires can start in many ways. Common causes include cooking and electrical faults. Even a build-up of lint in your clothes dryer can spark a fire. Always clean the lint filter every time you use your dryer.
Preventing fires often begins with simple habits. For example, following appliance instructions, blowing out candles, and never leaving the stove unattended. However, there are other steps you can take to lower the risk and stop a fire from spreading.
Five tips for fireproofing your home
1. Regularly check your smoke alarms
Smoke alarms are your first line of defence. Homes with working smoke alarms are twice as likely to survive a fire compared to those without. They’re also required by law and must be installed in certain areas of your home.
However, many people forget about them until they hear the low-battery beep.
Australian fire authorities recommend testing smoke alarms once a month. A study in Western Australia found that 75% of households didn't know this. Luckily, it's never too late to start this habit. To test your smoke alarm, simply press the ‘test’ button and make sure you can hear the alarm.
If your alarm has a regular battery, replace it each year. If it can’t be replaced, it might have a lithium battery or it might be hardwired into your electrics. In this case, the whole unit must be replaced every ten years – even if it still works. That’s because smoke sensors weaken over time.
2. If you have a garage, install a heat alarm
Sheds and garages are the more fire-affected area of the home – even ahead of kitchens. That’s why you should install an alarm there.
While smoke alarms aren’t suitable for garages, interconnected heat alarms are. They activate when the temperature rises above 58 degrees. Importantly, they won’t be set off by dust or exhaust fumes.
Interconnected means the alarm links to your internal smoke alarms. So, if a fire starts in the garage, you’ll know instantly.
3. Install smart smoke detectors if possible
As well as keeping your smoke alarms in working order, you might consider upgrading them.
Smart smoke detectors send alerts straight to your phone. If a fire starts while you’re out, you’ll know right away.
There are many smart smoke alarms available. Different models offer different features. Some can tell you which room the smoke is coming from. Others may let you run routine tests through an app on your phone.
4. Make sure your wiring and appliances are safe
Faulty wiring and unsafe appliances are major fire risks. In New South Wales, 40% of house fires are triggered by electrical problems.
You should never attempt electrical work yourself, but you can look out for warning signs, like flickering lights, hot power points or frayed cords. Then you’ll know when to call in a professional.
Find more tips in our guide to preventing home electrical fires.
5. Keep firefighting equipment handy
Once a fire spreads, it can take a lot of water and chemicals to control it. If flames grow quickly, call 000 for help straight away.
If the fire is small, you may be able to put it out yourself before it spreads. Never throw water on electrical fires – this can make it worse. Water conducts electricity.
Instead, keep a fire extinguisher or fire blanket in high-risk areas like the kitchen. Make sure you know how to use them and check that your extinguisher is charged and ready to go.
You can't completely fireproof your home, but being prepared can make a major difference. Remember, if a fire ever gets out of control, it’s time to evacuate with your family. Your home can be rebuilt – your family's safety is more important.
Does home insurance cover fires?
Allianz Home and Contents Insurance can cover loss or damage caused by fire and smoke. This can include house fires such as kitchen or electrical fires, bushfires,1 and smoke damage caused by a fire.
If you have Buildings cover, your policy may cover your home’s structure, such as the walls, roof, fixtures, and fittings.
If you have Contents cover, or a combined Home and Contents policy, your furniture, appliances, clothes, and other personal items may also be covered.
Where a fire damages your home, your policy may cover:
- Repairing or rebuilding damaged parts of your home
- Replacing damaged contents
- Temporary accommodation if you can’t stay in your home and your claim has been accepted
- Debris removal after the fire if your claim has been accepted
What’s covered, and how claims are settled, depends on your policy and your situation. Cover can vary, so it’s important to check your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for limits, conditions and exclusions.
Safeguard your home with an Allianz Home Health Check
If you’d rather leave the technical checks to a specialist, an Allianz Home Health Check is designed for you. For $299 (incl. GST), here’s what you’ll get:
- A 90-minute home inspection by our Home Safety Specialist.2
- An understanding of potential problems like overhanging tree branches, outdated smoke alarms, plumbing leaks, and general wear and tear.
- Minor issues like leaky taps and blocked drains fixed on the spot.3
- A personalised report with clear, practical advice for maintaining your home.
Available to eligible Allianz Home Insurance customers who live within eligible metro Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane postcodes.
Allianz Prevention
For useful links and handy resources on caring for your home, check out Allianz Prevention.
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Disclaimer
This article has been prepared by Allianz Australia Insurance Limited ABN 15 000 122 850 AFSL234708 ("Allianz"). It is a summary of key concepts and not meant to represent the complete picture on any given matter. It is not meant to be legal advice. The information should be read in conjunction with the relevant legislation and regulations. In some cases, information has been provided to us by third parties and while that information is believed to be accurate and reliable, its accuracy is not guaranteed in any way.
Any opinions expressed constitute our views at the time of issue and are subject to change. Neither Allianz, nor its employees or directors give any warranty of accuracy or accept responsibility for any loss or liability incurred by you in respect of any error, omission or misrepresentation in this article.
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*Conditions apply
- 72-hour exclusion period may apply
We may not provide cover for any loss of or damage to your property caused by cyclone, flood, flood water combined with run-off and/or rainwater, grassfires and bushfires during the first 72 hours after you first purchase a policy or increase your cover under an existing policy. Refer to PDS for when exclusion periods apply.
Please see the Terms and Conditions. Our Home Safety Specialist will undertake reasonable fixes that can be carried out in the allocated 90-minute timeframe.
- Allianz Australia Insurance Limited ABN 15 000 122 850 AFSL 234708 (Allianz) has partnered with AWP Australia Pty Ltd ABN 52 097 227 177 to conduct the Home Health Check on its behalf. Allianz is the insurer of your Home Insurance product.
Allianz acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live and work across Australia. We pay our respect to First Nations Elders past and present.
Any advice here does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions apply. Before making a decision about this insurance, consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)/Policy Wording and Supplementary PDS (if applicable). Where applicable, the PDS/Policy Wording, Supplementary PDS and Target Market Determination (TMD) for this insurance are available on this website. We do not provide any form of advice if you call us to enquire about or purchase a product.
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