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Winter fire safety checklist

Fact

Each year, Fire and Rescue NSW attends approximately 4,500 residential fires in NSW with approximately 30% of them occurring in winter months, and 47% of fires starting in the kitchen.

Is your home winter fire safe?

We recommend this simple safety checklist to help keep homes fire safe this winter. Make sure you and everyone in your household follows the following safety advice:

  • Never ever leave cooking unattended. “Keep Looking When Cooking”
  • Have an adequate number of suitable smoke alarms installed throughout your home and make sure that you test them regularly.
  • Make sure you and all your family know two safe ways out of every room in your home.
  • Have a written home escape plan in case of fire and practice it regularly.
  • If you have a fireplace in your home make sure the chimney is clean, and properly ventilated.
  • If you have a fireplace always place a screen in front of it when in use.
  • Check electric blankets for damage or frayed cords before placing on the bed.
  • Take care to keep curtains, tablecloths and bedding away from portable heaters.
  • Keep wet clothing at least 1 metre from heaters or fireplaces and never leave unattended.
  • If you use a clothes dryer make sure you clean the lint filter each and every time you use it.
  • Only use one appliance per power point and switch off when not in use.
  • Always extinguish candles or any other open flames before going to bed.
  • Always handle candles or any other open flame with care.
  • Store matches or lighters in a secure place not accessible to young children.
  • DO NOT use outdoor heating and cooking equipment inside your home. The use of this type of equipment indoors could lead to the build up of Carbon Monoxide. Carbon Monoxide is odourless and if not detected can be fatal.

Fire safety tips

  • Use only authorised installers of fixed heating appliances.
  • If possible, in the kitchen keep a fire extinguisher and fire blanket placed near the exit.
  • In Case of an Emergency Get out Stay Out and Call Triple Zero (000)