KIAMA firefighters are warning residents to avoid kitchen fire catastrophes this winter, and ‘‘keep looking when cooking’’ as the cooler weather continues.
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Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) yearly statistics, launched at the start of this year’s Winter Fire Safety Campaign show that FRNSW firefighters responded to an average of 1230 house fires over winter, with about half of those originating in the kitchen.
According to FRNSW, winter is the worst time of the year for home fires, more than 60 per cent occurring between May and September.
There are on average 21 house fire fatalities each year and about 576 people injured over winter – 206 of those were injuries suffered in a kitchen fire.
FRNSW research shows these kitchen fires start mostly due to cooking being left unattended.
Kiama Fire Station acting captain Terry Dryburgh said firefighters dreaded winter because there is always a spike in the number of home fires.
“Tragically, these fires are also far more serious and are more likely to result in injuries and deaths.
“Already this year, nine people have died because of a fire in their home in NSW and we don’t want to see that number increase.
“People need to be vigilant in the kitchen and throughout their entire home this winter.
“A lot of people seem to adopt the ‘it won’t happen to me’ attitude.
‘‘The fact is, it can.
‘‘We urge you not to be complacent this winter – assess the risks and take the precautions needed to prevent a fire.”
Firefighters have launched the campaign Operation Cold Snap to highlight the major risks.
Fire authorities are encouraging people to prepare by following simple steps such as:
*Keep looking when cooking.
*Turn off heaters and electric blankets before leaving home or getting into bed.
*Keep everything one metre from your heater.
*Clean lint filters on the clothes dryer before or after use each use.
*Don’t overload power points and power boards.
*Keep candles well away from curtains and putting them out before leaving the room.
*Never smoke in bed.
*FRNSW recommends that householders have a practised home escape plan. Identify at least two ways out of each room. Practise the plan with your family so everyone knows how to get out.
*If a fire does break out, don’t fight the fire - get out, stay out and call Triple Zero (000).
