FIRE and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews across New South Wales are currently promoting Smoke Alarm Action Day, encouraging communities to ensure they are adequately protected in their homes.
The reminder came on the first day of winter and the start of FRNSW’s 2024 winter fire safety campaign.
Fire crews are concerned about the number of households that either don’t have a smoke alarm or the device that may be fitted is not working.
Of the 959 residential fires in winter 2022, 50 per cent of homes did not have a working smoke alarm.
Of the 1080 such blazes last winter (2023), the figure was 49 per cent.
“Two years ago, we were experiencing harsh cold snaps and a record 17 people died due to fires in their homes,” FRNSW Commissioner, Jeremy Fewtrell, said.
Last winter, nine people died in residential fires.
“They are terrible losses of life that were in the most part, preventable,” Commissioner Fewtrell said.
“A working smoke alarm may have saved some of those people, so we’re really ramming home that safety message …stop procrastinating, make a deliberate decision to check the status of your smoke alarms right now and ensure you and your loved ones are protected.
“I know with many still working from home, some people may have removed the batteries due to false alarms and the like…but that inexpensive, small device on the ceiling may mean the difference between you getting out of a fire alive and tragedy.”
Emergency Services Minister, Jihad Dib, has echoed the fire safety advice and urged households to check their smoke alarms.
“A lot of winter fires occur when residents are asleep, and a smoke alarm might make all the difference,” Minister Dib said.
“Make sure your alarm is in good, working order or get it replaced.”
Members of the public can book a fire safety visit from local fire crews, which can inspect your home, provide safety advice and install a new, 10-year smoke alarm, free of charge.
Head to https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/visits for more information.
