WITH a chill in the air and temperatures continuing to fall, local fire brigade members urge residents to keep their homes fire safe this winter.

According to NSW Fire and Rescue, around 30 percent of house fires in NSW each year occur in winter months.

“There are many house fires in winter as people try and warm up their homes,” Bulahdelah RFS member Rod Paar said.

“There’s a number of common sense things people can do to stay safe such as checking smoke alarms and making sure they are working, cleaning chimneys and not drying clothes on top of heaters.”

Rod said clothes dryers have sparked many house fires in the past, so it’s important to clean the lint filter after every use.

Statistics show that over 350 house fires are started by electrical faults in NSW each year.

“Incorrect use of power boards, such as overloading them, can cause a fire,” RFS member Meagan Terry said.

NSW Fire and Rescue recommend using power boards with built-in safety switches and regularly checking that all plugs are firmly plugged in.

As families huddle together indoors to stay warm, Meagan said to make sure heaters and electric blankets are also thoroughly checked and cleaned before use.

But no matter how low the mercury dips, our local firies warn never use outdoor heating equipment, such as ‘heat beads’ or LPG as a fuel source, inside your home.

“They all let off toxic gases, you won’t smell them, but the buildup of carbon monoxide could be fatal,” Rod said.

The RFS members say taking a few simple precautions and being prepared will give your family the best chances of escaping a house fire.

“Have a fire escape plan, make sure kids are aware of 000, and make sure it’s all practiced,” Rod said.

A winter fire safety checklist is available on the NSW Fire and Rescue webpage.

 

By Daniel SAHYOUN