Check those smoke alarms

Last winter, the Central Coast was home to the third highest reported number of residential fires in NSW, with kitchen fires the most common.

Winter 2023 saw 243 fires in the Canterbury-Bankstown area, closely followed by the inner city with 241 and the Central Coast with 235.

Nearly half of the 1,080 homes impacted by fire did not have a working smoke alarm, or any alarm in place.

Nine lives were lost in residential fires across the state in 2023, and a record 17 people in the previous winter.

Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch said working smoke alarms had the potential to turn the situation around and urges residents to make sure theirs were in good order.

“A working smoke alarm can mean the difference between getting out of a fire alive and tragedy,” she said.

“The number of residential fires and the losses of life in the community are devastating and debilitating for everyone.

“The simple act of checking your smoke alarm – that small, inexpensive device on the ceiling – may have contributed to saving some of these people.

“Sometimes, people remove the smoke alarm battery due to false alarms.

“Rather, I encourage Coasties to check that their smoke alarm is in good working order.

“Make that checking process a priority.

“Many residential fires start at night when people are asleep and having a working smoke alarm can make every difference.”

Tesch said kitchens were problematic areas with 44 per cent of residential fires starting in kitchens last winter.

“The number of fires in kitchens is a real concern,” she said.

“I encourage Coasties to take Fire and Rescue NSW’s advice, which is to ‘keep looking when you’re cooking’.

“Don’t get distracted.

“And if a fire breaks out when you’re cooking, whatever you do don’t throw water on it – the flames will flare up.

“Keep a fire blanket near the kitchen to smother flames if they occur.”

Residents needing extra assistance with checking whether their properties have working smoke alarms can request a Safety Visit from their local fire station.

Firefighters will check that alarms are in good working condition and are installed in suitable areas.

For residents without a smoke alarm, firefighters will install a long-life battery-powered smoke alarm as well as replace existing smoke alarm batteries all at no cost.

“Safeguarding your loved ones is a serious matter,” Tesch said.

“I encourage residents to book a fire safety visit at www.fire.nsw.gov.au/visits.”