Appeal to households to take extra precautions amid concerning winter fire statistics - NSW
Published: 18 Jul 2023 01:39pm
Senior firefighters have expressed concern over a sharp rise in residential fires in New South Wales this winter, urging the public to end the complacency over household smoke alarms.
There were 337 residential fires in the first month of winter this year, an increase of 24 fires (8%) over June 2022.
There’s been a 28% rise in kitchen/cooking area fires over the same period, from 117 to 150, while fires in bedrooms/sleeping areas have risen 19% from 26 to 31.
Fires in loungerooms have risen from 17 to 19, a 12% increase.
The number of fatalities this winter stands at six following the deaths of an elderly couple last week at Wetherill Park, in Sydney’s south-west.
That compares to nine fatalities this time last year.
A record 16 people died as a result of fires in NSW last winter.
FRNSW Acting Deputy Commissioner – Field Operations, Trent Curtin, said fire crews are still turning up to house fires where either smoke alarms aren’t in working order or they don’t exist at all.
“That’s true in 44% of home fires so far this winter…this time last year, it was 45%...people are still not heeding our warning…smoke alarms save lives,” Acting Deputy Commissioner Curtin said.
“An affordable smoke alarm, purchased at a hardware store, can provide you with peace of mind that you and your loved ones are protected.
“Test your smoke alarms regularly and if you are worried about fire safety, book a home safety visit with FRNSW through our website and a crew will inspect your residence and even install a free alarm if necessary: https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=9316 [external link]
“If your loved ones or neighbours are elderly, give them a helping hand and ensure they’re protected.
“The kitchen fire numbers are worrying,” he added, “We urge the public to keep looking when cooking and invest in a fire extinguisher and fire blanket to store near the kitchen.
“Throwing water over a stove fire will only make it worse, use a fire blanket to smother the flames if you can.
“Don’t try to put out a kitchen fire if it becomes overwhelming, escape the home and ring Triple Zero (000).
“Don’t go back inside a burning home.”
Updated: 18 Jul 2023 01:43pm
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