Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) is urging residents to take every precaution to avoid a fire in the home.
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The message comes after a house fire in Laurieton on Wednesday, June 6.
FRNSW Laurieton captain Les King said the cooler months see a 10 per cent increase in the number of home fires.
There are more fires in bedrooms and lounge areas, due to use of heaters and electric blankets.
“Don’t put yourself or your family at risk,” he said.
“We want to remind people to be careful when using heaters and to keep everything in the house a metre from the heater.”
Cpt King said residents should also ‘keep looking when cooking’ to avoid kitchen fire catastrophes.
“Kitchen fires account for 45 per cent of all residential fires and 34 per cent of injuries in NSW,” he said.
“Flames or heat sources being left unattended are the most common cause contributing to kitchen fires.
“It can take just three minutes for a fire to take hold, but only seconds to prevent one.
“To avoid kitchen fire catastrophes, we urge people to keep looking when cooking.
“It’s a simple way to avoid losing your home or even worse, your loved ones or your own life.”
Cpt King said if a pan catches fire, don’t throw water on it, get out, stay out and call triple zero 000.
For more information visit www.fire.nsw.gov.au