Emergency services issue plea to be fire safe this winter

Firefighters are pleading with the public to follow safety advice after 10 house fire deaths in NSW already this winter.

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the death toll was more than double last winter’s figure.

“Since the start of June, tragically, we’ve lost 10 lives in house fires across the state, compared to four last winter,” Ms Cooke said.

“The majority of house fire deaths are preventable, which is why it is so important to listen to the advice of firefighters and make sure you have a working smoke alarm installed for every level of your home.

“A working smoke alarm will save your life and the lives of your loved ones. Check on parents, grandparents and neighbours to help them stay fire safe.”

Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Paul Baxter said there had been 438 house fires across NSW since June.

“The message is simple but not enough people are paying attention,” Commissioner Baxter said. “Portable heaters, especially bar heaters, will kill you if you are not careful with them.

“Keep anything combustible a metre from the heater, clothing, curtains, couches and furniture, turn them off when you go to bed.”

Fourty-seven per cent of the homes damaged by fire this winter did not have working smoke alarms, while one in five did not have an alarm at all.