WHILE the coldest part of the year is behind us, one of New South Wales’ top firefighters is reiterating a key safety message.
Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said winter had been “devastating” across the state for fire-related deaths.
From June to August, 18 people were killed in structure fires in NSW, including three members of one family in a granny flat fire in the Sydney suburb of Wiley Park and a five-year-old girl in a house fire in Lake Macquarie.
“This has been a devastating winter for our state,” Mr Fewtrell said.
“Eighteen lives lost is a sobering reminder about the risk of house fires during the colder months.
“Behind every statistic is a family and community that has been changed forever.
“We urge you to do everything possible to stay fire safe in your home.”
One of those key things, Mr Fewtrell said, is working smoke alarms.
About 43 per cent of the 1073 residential fire callouts first responders attended this winter did not have a working smoke detector.
“It’s particularly disturbing to know that firefighters could not find working smoke alarms in almost half the homes destroyed or damaged by fire this winter,” Mr Fewtrell said.
“Smoke alarms provide crucial early warnings and give people the best chance to escape safely in an emergency. But only working alarms can save lives.”
Mr Fewtrell said FRNSW offered free home safety checks during which officers would visit people’s homes and help them make sure they are fire safe.
Last winter firefighters undertook almost 12,000 of the visits.
It’s not just a checklist, officers will even give you smoke detectors and put them up for you at no cost.
“Use the change of season as an opportunity to book in a free home fire safety visit,” Mr Fewtrell said.
“Firefighters will come to your home any time of year to make sure it’s as safe as possible.
“They will even install 10-year smoke alarms for free.”
To book a free home safety visit head to fire.nsw.gov.au/safetyvisits or call your local fire station.