Be properly alarmed

Last winter, the Central Coast was home to the third highest reported number of residential fires, with kitchen fires the most common. Across New South Wales, nearly half of the 1,080 homes impacted by fire did not have a working smoke alarm, or any alarm in place.

 

Nine lives were lost in residential fires across New South Wales in 2023, and a record 17 people in the previous winter.

3 July 2024

 

WORKING smoke alarms have the potential to turn this situation around, according to Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch, who is urging households to keep homes protected with working smoke alarms.

 

“A working smoke alarm can mean the difference between getting out of a fire alive and tragedy, "said Ms Tesch.

 

"The number of residential fires and the losses of life in the community are devastating and debilitating for everyone.

 

“The simple act of checking your smoke alarm - that small, inexpensive device on the ceiling - may have contributed to saving some of these people.

 

“Sometimes, people remove the smoke alarm battery due to false alarms. Rather, I encourage Coasties to check that their smoke alarm is in good working order. Make that checking process a priority."

 

Many residential fires start at night when people are asleep and having a working smoke alarm can make every difference.

 

Statistics revealed that kitchens were problematic areas for residential fires, with 44 per cent of residential fires occurring in this area last winter.

 

“The number of fires in kitchens is a real concern. I encourage Coasties to take Fire and Rescue NSW’s advice, which is to ‘keep looking when you’re cooking’. Don’t get distracted. And if a fire breaks out when you’re cooking, whatever you do don’t throw water on it – the flames will flare up. Keep a fire blanket near the kitchen to smother flames if they occur,” Ms Tesch said.

 

To ensure that your home is safe this winter, request a Safety Visit from your local fire station:

 

*Coasties that need extra assistance with checking whether their properties have working smoke alarms can request a Safety Visit from their local fire station.

 

*During a Safety Visit smoke alarms will be checked that they are in good working condition and are installed in suitable areas. For residents without a smoke alarm, firefighters will install a long-life battery-powered smoke alarm as well as replace existing smoke alarm batteries all at no cost.

 

“Safeguarding your loved ones is a serious matter. I encourage residents to book a fire safety visit from a firefighter who can instal an alarm for free or make sure your alarm is functioning properly,” said Ms Tesch.

 

Home fire safety visits can be booked via the FRNSW website here.

 

The areas in New South Wales with the highest number of residential fires in Winter 2023 were Canterbury-Bankstown (243), closely followed by the inner city (Sydney – 241), the Central Coast (235) and Blacktown (228).