Staying and working in the alpine regions can be a fun experience, but it's important to follow the rules so you can stay safe and have a great time away. Make sure you dry clothes and snow gear the right way, prepare food safely and know how to escape if a fire starts.
Summary
- Dry your snow gear and clothes on a hanger in the drying room.
- Don't hang clothes and snow gear on emergency equipment or on heaters in your room.
- Use designated kitchen areas and equipment for cooking.
- Don't use portable stoves or heaters in accommodation.
- Don't cover smoke alarms so they work effectively.
- Don't block doors and exits with luggage and other gear.
How to prevent fires starting in your accommodation
1. Dry your clothes and snow gear safely
Dry your belongings on hangers in the drying room.
Don't hang wet clothes and gloves on heaters, in front of fire places, or on fire equipment like hose reels and fire extinguishers.
2. Use designated cooking areas and equipment
Portable gas stoves and appliances can start fires in your room. Only use designated cooking areas and appliances. Don't bring or use them in your room.
Always watch what you're cooking and turn off the heat before you leave.
3. Don't tune skis and snowboards in bedrooms
You could start a fire or trigger a false alarm by using an iron at very high heat in your bedroom to tune or re-wax your skis or snowboard. Hot wax can also drip onto the carpet, causing the carpet to burn and release toxic fumes.
Check with your accommodation provider if there is an area where you can tune your gear, or get it done at a ski hire shop.
4. Don't cover smoke alarms or smoke inside
Don’t cover smoke alarms with socks or plastic bags, as it stops them from working properly.
A fire could start and spread without you or anyone else knowing. Fires can become fatal within three minutes.
If you smoke, make sure you go outside. Standing out in the cold for a few minutes is better than being responsible for starting a fire or triggering a false alarm.
Be prepared to evacuate if needed
You need to be able to get out as quickly as possible if there is a fire.
Make sure you:
- Know the quickest way out. You can find an evacuation plan for your building on the back of your room/lodge door.
- Know the name and location of your building. You need to give this information to Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Find the details on the back of your room/lodge door, or near the entrance of the building.
- Keep doors and hallways clear of luggage and snow gear so you can get out quickly and easily in the event of an emergency.
- Tell someone where you are going if you leave your accommodation.
If a fire starts in your accommodation
Follow these instructions:
- Get out of the building by following the evacuation plan.
- Stay calm.
- Do not stop to take your belongings.
- Follow the Fire Wardens' directions.
- Get down low and stay out of the smoke.
- If a fire is in the room you are in, close the door behind you as you leave.
- Call out and let other people know there is a fire as you go.
- Use emergency exits or stairs, not lifts.
- Get out and stay out.
- Call Triple Zero (000).
- Don't return until emergency services give the all clear.
Be careful when evacuating snow-covered buildings
Buildings in Alpine areas don't have gutters. When snow starts to melt, it can curl and slide off steep roofs as one big ice mass. 'Snow shedding' can injure people. Be careful when walking near buildings.
Remember your snow chains
Emergency services respond to a number of emergency callouts from people without snow chains on icy mountain roads. Cars can slide off the road, leaving passengers stranded in the cold and wet. It can take hours to be rescued.
Remember to bring or hire snow chains for your tyres so you don't need Emergency Services to come and rescue you. If you need to be rescued, you'll likely need to pay for it yourself.
You also might not be allowed to drive up the mountain without chains.
Page last updated: Wednesday, 8 July 2026 5:33:37 PM