To commemorate the start of Fire Awareness Month, Fire and Rescue NSW and the NSW Rural Fire Service are reminding residents to “Be safe, Not sorry” this winter by taking precautions to avoid house fires.
Every winter, there are over 1100 home fires, with approximately 100 fire-related injuries. A fire can start in three minutes, but it only takes seconds to put out.
Some Winter fire statistics you should be aware of:
- Since the beginning of 2022, Fire and Rescue NSW has responded to 1,226 home fires.
- In 2021, there were 3,502 home fires.
- There were 953 residential fires reported last winter, including 359 kitchen fires, 98 bedroom fires, 81 chimney/fireplace emergencies, and 69 living room fires.
- Every year, approximately 20 people are killed in house fires that could have been avoided, with many more suffering life-changing injuries.
The best way to avoid danger this winter is to take precautions to prevent a fire from starting in the first place. It is critical for people to have a working smoke alarm in their home and to test it on a regular basis. Here are other fire safety measures you can implement at home:
- Check and regularly maintain smoke alarms.
- Keep anything flammable or drying clothes at least a metre away from the heater.
- Maintain and clean any fireplaces.
- Do not bring outside heating or cooking equipment into your home.
- Check that electric blankets are safe to use, and never go to bed with one on.
- Avoid overheating wheat bags in the microwave.
- Do not overload power supplies.
- After each use, clean the lint filter in your clothes dryer.
- Cooking should never be left unattended.
- Always use candles with adult supervision, and never leave them unattended.
- Make a home fire escape plan and practice it with your family on a regular basis.
For fire safety installations, testing, and maintenance in Sydney, contact Control Fire Protection to get a free consultation.
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