AS the temperatures drop, fire authorities are urging residents not to be complacent and adhere to fire safety practices for winter.
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Jason McDonnell, station commander at Turvey Park Fire and Rescue, said winter is historically the time they attend most house fires.
"About 40 per cent of fires are attended over winter months," Mr McDonnell said.
"The nature of fires change throughout seasons, but we mostly attend structural fires and we're preparing for them.
"Most start in the kitchen and other hazards include heating.
"We urge everyone to be fire safe."
Mr McDonnell urge residents to have an escape plan and to rehearse it.
Similarly, Riverina Zone RFS operations officer Bradley Stewart said that with more people lighting wood fires in their houses, "we encourage people to have their chimneys inspected and cleaned to prevent chimney fires from occurring".
"Check that you have fully functioning and workable detectors," Mr Stewart said.
"Also have a fire plan and other precautions, such as having 1kg fire extinguishers around."
Key advice
- Turn off heaters and electric blankets before leaving home or getting into bed.
- Clean lint filters in the clothes dryer before or after each use
- Do not overload powerboards
- Keep candles away from curtains and extinguish them before leaving the room
- Do not use LPG cylinders for cooking or heating indoors as they can leak and the gas is both toxic and highly explosive
- Ensure you have a working smoke alarm
More advice at FRNSW.
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