Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) has identified the people most at risk of a residential fire this winter.
FRNSW’s Community Safety Command has crunched the numbers and created a profile of those most vulnerable.
If you meet one or more of the following criteria, you need to take precautions:
- Over 65 years of age
- Male
- Drinks alcohol
- Smokes
- Lives alone
- Prone to clutter
Amid FRNSW’s annual “Be Fire Safe” winter campaign, the fire service’s research shows the risk of a residential fire during these colder months rises significantly for each of the categories met by NSW residents.
The statistics show that in recent years, one in every two residential fire deaths in winter involves an elderly person, while people with disabilities account for 47-percent of fatalities.
Three people, aged in their 50’s, 60’s and 80’s, have died in three separate house fires this week.
A working smoke alarm saved the lives of a mother and her adult son during another house fire yesterday at Smithfield, in Sydney’s west.
FRNSW is providing fire prevention and safety information to the young, elderly, people living with disabilities and culturally diverse communities, particularly in Sydney’s south-west, which has a large multicultural population.
FRNSW Commissioner, Jeremy Fewtrell, said the combination of known dangers and demographics has helped firefighters identify people most at risk of being injured or killed in a winter fire.
“It’s a mixture of factors. If a person drinks, is of a certain age where mobility and health start to become issues, if their exits are cluttered – then you’re potentially vulnerable and that’s something we want to change.
“Then there are added risks. Is your home fitted with a working smoke alarm? Can you hear it? When was the last time you checked that it works?
There are smoke alarms available for people who are hearing impaired that have a strobe light and vibrating pad to notify you when the smoke alarm goes off.
“It’s imperative that we look after the elderly and at-risk members of our communities,” Commissioner Fewtrell said.
“Firefighters can come to your home for a Safety Visit, give you fire safety advice, check your smoke alarms – and if they’re not working, install replacement alarms for free.
Simply contact your local fire station to book a visit – https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/visits [external link]
“You’re at risk of a winter home fire even if you meet only one or two of the criteria. Let’s check on our older neighbours or seniors we know might need a helping hand to ensure they can “Be Fire Safe” this winter.”
Media Release: Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW)
