Safety tips with your sausage sandwich - hardware store visits to support Winter Fire Safety campaign
Published: 29 May 2026 09:35am
Firefighters will visit Bunnings stores across NSW this June to share important fire safety advice and promote free home safety visits, as part of the 2026 Winter Fire Safety campaign.
The community visits build on a range of engagement opportunities firefighters will use to protect people this winter, getting the message out about the dangers of not having a working smoke alarm and encouraging people to book a free home fire safety visit.
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) data shows 45 per cent of the 3,884 homes that reported a major fire last year did not have a working smoke alarm.
In response, FRNSW and the Rural Fire Service (RFS) today launched the campaign by promoting free home fire safety visits, a year-round service where fire crews can visit your home, identify fire risks in your home and even install a smoke alarm, free of charge.
The campaign coincides with fresh data which reveals that last year, NSW experienced a high number of fire fatalities. There were 30 deaths, making 2025 the second-worst year for fire fatalities in the last decade. Winter is typically the worst time for fire-related fatalities,
Twelve people have died in residential fires in NSW so far in 2026.
This winter, FRNSW is seeking to significantly boost the number of home fire safety visits from its current rate of 600 bookings a month.
The public can book a visit through the FRNSW website - https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/visits - or by contacting their local FRNSW station.
A survey of NSW residents in April highlights kitchen fire safety concerns, as 40 per cent of residents report not having a fire extinguisher or fire blanket in their home. FRNSW data shows that last winter 37 per cent of residential fires started in the kitchen.
Five of the top 10 Local Government Areas (LGA) (Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Campbelltown, Parramatta and Blacktown) for kitchen fires were in Sydney’s west where 175 fires were recorded last winter.
This Monday 1 June, the first day of winter, also marks national Smoke Alarm Action Day, when households are encouraged to check their smoke alarms are working.
Quotes attributed to Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib:
“As it gets colder, winter is typically the most dangerous time of year for residential fires and we want everyone in our state to be prepared.
“Most people assume a fire will never occur, but they do happen and often spread quickly in homes without a working smoke alarm. A working smoke alarm is your best protection, especially when you’re sleeping. So that bleeping smoke alarm just might save you.
“I encourage everyone to book a home fire safety visit now. Our firefighters play a key role keeping communities safe and the in-person safety visits they offer mean that the people who need it most can get help with their smoke alarms.”
Quotes attributed to Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell:
“Last year 30 people died and 418 others were injured in house fires.
“The support from Bunnings is an important opportunity for firefighters in metropolitan and regional areas to educate customers about being fire safe.
“We know Bunnings is a popular place on weekends, so our firefighters will visit local stores throughout winter, show people how to check smoke alarms, prepare a home fire escape plan, and explain why fire blankets and extinguishers should be a kitchen staple.
“Our visits to Bunnings also provide a great opportunity for people to learn about and then book a home fire safety visit.
“Through our survey it was also revealed that one in two people don’t realise our firefighters can come to your home, identify safety hazards, and even install new smoke alarms for free.”
Quotes attributed to RFS Commissioner Curtin:
“Smoke alarms and a home escape plan can give you precious seconds to make it out alive when a fire occurs in your home.
“A working smoke alarm will give you the best possible warning if a fire breaks out in your home.
“Whether you’re at home or on holidays - everyone, including the children, need to know how to escape in the event of a fire and where to go once you’re out.
“Regardless of where you live in NSW, you need to make sure you have working smoke alarms.”
Key winter fire safety information:
- To test a smoke alarm, press the button on the disk face of the device. If you can’t reach it, use a broom to press the button.
- FRNSW’s free home safety visit program is available for all NSW residents.
- Smoke alarms must be replaced every 10 years, even if they seem to be working.
- If your smoke alarm is yellow in colour, it’s a good sign it needs replacing.
- Smoke alarms should also be cleaned every six months, by wiping the face of the device with a cloth.
- Legislation requires people to have at least one working smoke alarm on every level of the home, placed between the kitchen and sleeping/living areas.
- If you’re renting, and you don’t have working smoke alarms installed, contact your landlord or real estate agency immediately. They have a legal obligation to ensure you have working smoke alarms in rental properties.
- Never throw water onto an oil-based kitchen fire. It will flare up. The most effective way to put out a kitchen blaze is with an extinguisher or fire blanket. ‘Keep looking while cooking.
- Most home fires start in the kitchen. 37% of the 3884 residential fires in 2025.
- Keep flammable materials ‘at least a metre from the heater.
- Do not bring outdoor heaters or cookers inside. The carbon monoxide gas can kill in confined spaces.
Fire deaths in NSW - 2019-2025
| Yr 2019 | Yr 2020 | Yr 2021 | Yr 2022 | Yr 2023 | Yr 2024 | Yr 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | 14 | 10 | 11 | 17 | 9 | 12 | 9 |
| Calendar total | 26 | 24 | 29 | 34 | 20 | 25 | 30 |
Media note - B-roll footage of how to test a smoke alarm is available here: https://vimeo.com/427983325?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci **Translated fact sheets and educational materials can be found here: : https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/fire-safety/home-fire-safety/translations
Updated: 29 May 2026 9:51am