Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) has responded to the spate of deadly fires that saw five deaths in four days last week by urging people to be vigilant and take precautions to try and avoid fires in their home.
Commissioner of FRNSW, Paul Baxter encouraged the community to take extra care as he didn’t want the statistics to continue to climb.
Commissioner Baxter said the most recent fire in the Hunter Valley was a tragic reminder of the harsh reality of the importance of fire safety in Australia’s winter months.
“Our firefighters prepare themselves for winter as emergency house calls rise,” Commissioner Baxter said.
“Too often they are called to home fires sparked by overloaded power boards, frayed cords, and the overheating and misuse of heating appliances and equipment,” he said.
Outlining some steps the community could take to avoid fires, he warned never ever to leave cooking unattended and if possible, keep a fire extinguisher and fire blanket handy in the kitchen.
“Keep everything — furnishing, curtains, clothing — one metre away from your heater; do not overload your power boards with these extra winter appliances; ensure flues and chimneys are regularly cleaned, and set up strong fire screens in front of open fires,” Commissioner Baxter said
“Turn off your electric blanket at night and do not use outdoor heating and cooking equipment inside your home as this type of equipment indoors could lead to the build-up of carbon monoxide which could be fatal.”
He said that on average, more than 30 per cent of preventable home fires occurred in the cooler months, with 60 per cent of these occurring overnight.
