Fire and Rescue NSW identifies people most at risk of a home fire this winter - NSW
Published: 20 Jun 2025 02:08pm
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) has identified the people most at risk of a residential fire this winter.
FRNSW’s Community Safety Command has crunched the numbers and created a profile of those most vulnerable.
If you meet one or more of the following criteria, you need to take precautions:
- Over 65 years of age
- Male
- Drinks alcohol
- Smokes
- Lives alone
- Prone to clutter
Amid FRNSW’s annual “Be Fire Safe” winter campaign, the fire service’s research shows the risk of a residential fire during these colder months rises significantly for each of the categories met by NSW residents.
The statistics show that in recent years, one in every two residential fire deaths in winter involves an elderly person, while people with disabilities account for 47-percent of fatalities.
Three people, aged in their 50’s, 60’s and 80’s, have died in three separate house fires this week.
A working smoke alarm saved the lives of a mother and her adult son during another house fire yesterday at Smithfield, in Sydney’s west.
FRNSW is providing fire prevention and safety information to the young, elderly, people living with disabilities and culturally diverse communities, particularly in Sydney’s south-west, which has a large multicultural population.
FRNSW Commissioner, Jeremy Fewtrell, said the combination of known dangers and demographics has helped firefighters identify people most at risk of being injured or killed in a winter fire.
“It’s a mixture of factors. If a person drinks, is of a certain age where mobility and health start to become issues, if their exits are cluttered - then you’re potentially vulnerable and that’s something we want to change.
“Then there are added risks. Is your home fitted with a working smoke alarm? Can you hear it? When was the last time you checked that it works?
There are smoke alarms available for people who are hearing impaired that have a strobe light and vibrating pad to notify you when the smoke alarm goes off.
“It’s imperative that we look after the elderly and at-risk members of our communities,” Commissioner Fewtrell said.
“Firefighters can come to your home for a Safety Visit, give you fire safety advice, check your smoke alarms - and if they’re not working, install replacement alarms for free.
Simply contact your local fire station to book a visit - https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/visits [external link]
“You’re at risk of a winter home fire even if you meet only one or two of the criteria. Let’s check on our older neighbours or seniors we know might need a helping hand to ensure they can “Be Fire Safe” this winter.”
Media note – Footage of FRNSW engaging the public about these risks at a Sydney seniors forum is available here: https://vimeo.com/1085938337/e87e6dedf1?ts=0& [external link];share=copy
Updated: 25 Jun 2025 04:58pm
Related safety topics
It“s the law to have at least one working smoke alarm installed on every level of your home.
Having a home escape plan and a working smoke alarm increases your chances of getting out safely.
Details about this incident may change and should not be used as emergency information and/or advice.
For all life threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000)
For flood information, warnings or requests for non-life threatening assistance, call the SES on 132 500 or visit the NSW State Emergency Service website here. [external link].
For information directly relating to bushfires please call the Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737 or visit the NSW Rural Fire Service Website here. [external link]