Households are urged to check their smoke alarms as the NSW Government launches Fire and Rescue NSW’s annual ‘Winter Fire Safety’ campaign today.

As winter begins and temperatures drop, Fire and Rescue crews typically see a 13 per cent increase in house fires compared with the rest of the year.

From 1 June to 30 August 2024, more than 1000 fires broke out in NSW homes, killing 12 people and injuring more than 100 others.

In 44 per cent of winter home fires, there was no working smoke alarm, or the alarm failed to alert when the fire broke out. 42 per cent of winter fires in 2024 broke out in household kitchens.

Throughout 2024, there were 3,674 home fires, killing 25 people across NSW. In 45 per cent of these homes, there was no working smoke alarm.

Fire and Rescue NSW continues to urge the community to remain vigilant around the use of lithium-ion batteries this winter.

There have been 115 lithium-ion battery incidents in NSW so far this year, with 42 related to e-bikes and e-scooters.

Devices with lithium-ion batteries should be handled with care. Always follow safe charging, storage, and disposal practices to prevent fires, explosions and other possible hazards.

A working smoke alarm provides the earliest and most effective warning of a fire, giving residents the chance to get out and call triple zero (000).

Today, firefighters will be doorknocking, offering free inspections and potentially life-saving advice on everything from fire risks during winter to unsafe charging behaviour for lithium-ion batteries.

Crews will also install new smoke alarms for free in homes that need one.

Members of the public can book a free fire safety visit and have a new smoke alarm installed all year round by visiting www.fire.nsw.gov.au/visits.

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said, “This winter, the NSW Government wants to ensure households have a working smoke alarm installed. They can give residents the crucial seconds needed to get everyone out safely.

“In my own community of Bankstown, dozens of fires broke out in homes last winter, and more than half of those homes didn’t have a working smoke alarm installed.

“If you need help, our firefighters are here for you. To test a smoke alarm, please book a safety visit through the Fire and Rescue NSW website or by calling your local fire station.”

Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said, “The risk of fires in our homes increases during the colder months as we try to stay warm and cook more hot meals.

“Keep looking when cooking – never leave cooking unattended and don’t throw water onto a fat fire as it will intensify the flames – use a fire blanket or extinguisher instead.”