What to do if your house catches fire

When to evacuate and call Triple Zero (000)

1. If you see smoke or flames

You should get out straight away as it's already too dangerous for you to try to put the fire out. If you have a home escape plan, now is the time to use it.

2. If you wake up to a smoke alarm going off

If you wake up to a smoke alarm, follow these steps:

1. Quickly check if it's a false alarm.
2. If there is a fire, call out "fire, fire fire!" to alert others.
3. Follow your home fire escape plan.
4. Get out, stay out and call Triple Zero (000).

What to do if you're trapped

1. Call Triple Zero (000) as soon as you can.
2. Tell them you're trapped inside and stay on the phone.
3. Get down low to the ground. There is less smoke near the ground.
4. If you can, close the door to the room you're in and block gaps under the door with towels or blankets to stop smoke getting in.
5. Wait for help to arrive.

Help children understand what to do

Young children sometimes hide in cupboards or under the bed when there is a home fire. It’s important to include any kids you take care of in making your home fire escape plan.

Explain to them that if there is a fire, they should go outside right away. For more tips on keeping children safe, find out more ways to include them in your home fire escape plan.

If you have a fire blanket or extinguisher

In general, we recommend evacuating and calling Triple-Zero (000). Only put a fire out if:

• you have a fire extinguisher or fire blanket
• it's a very small fire
• you feel very confident in your mental and physical abilities to fight the fire.

If you do put the fire out, call Triple Zero (000). The fire brigade will make sure the fire is completely out. It could also help for insurance purposes.

Cooking fires

Only put out a cooking fire if you know how to safely use a fire blanket.

Turn the heat off first if you can.

Get out if you can't put the fire out on your first try. Call Triple Zero (000).

If you think the fire is out, call Triple Zero (000) anyway, because the fire could have spread into the roof through the range hood.

Electrical fires

Only try and put out an electrical fire if you have the correct fire extinguisher and feel confident using it.

Switch off the appliance at the power point or pull out the cord if you can.

Get out if you can't put the fire out on your first try. Call Triple Zero (000).

Other small fires

If you have a fire extinguisher and feel confident using it, you can try putting out the fire.

Get out if you can't put the fire out on your first try. Call Triple Zero (000).

How to call the fire brigade if you are deaf or have a speech impairment

Use a teletypewriter (TTY) to call 106. When you call 106, the operator will connect you with the fire brigade.

Page last updated: Monday, 7 September 2026 7:38:25 PM