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Spring fire safety
There were more than 930 residential fires across the state during spring last year with 400 of these fires starting in kitchens or cooking areas. As the weather warms up, FRNSW is urging the public not to become complacent about home fire dangers.
Spring Checklist
The backyard barbie can be a common cause of fires and injury during the warmer seasons. Keep barbecues clean and ensure all gas hoses and connections are tight with no leakage.
- Check gas cylinder and hoses for leaks by brushing or spraying with soapy water.
- There should be an adult in charge of a lit barbecue at all times.
- After using your barbecue, remove all excess fat so it doesn't become a fire hazard.
- Check the expiry date before using a gas cylinder. Dispose of old and unwanted gas cylinders safely. Contact your local council for more information.
- Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) can be extremely dangerous if stored or used incorrectly.
- Before lighting the BBQ, check your local fire danger rating, there may be a Total Fire Ban. Visit the Fire Danger Ratings and Total Fire Bans page on the NSW Rural Fire Service Website here. [external link]
The backyard barbie can be a common cause of fires and injury during the warmer seasons. Keep barbecues clean and ensure all gas hoses and connections are tight with no leakage.
- Check gas cylinder and hoses for leaks by brushing or spraying with soapy water.
- There should be an adult in charge of a lit barbecue at all times.
- After using your barbecue, remove all excess fat so it doesn't become a fire hazard.
- Check the expiry date before using a gas cylinder. Dispose of old and unwanted gas cylinders safely. Contact your local council for more information.
- Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) can be extremely dangerous if stored or used incorrectly.
- Before lighting the BBQ, check your local fire danger rating, there may be a Total Fire Ban. Visit the Fire Danger Ratings and Total Fire Bans page on the NSW Rural Fire Service Website here. [external link]
Don't ignore the signs! A damaged or failing Lithium-ion battery can explode, releasing highly toxic fumes. These fires are hard to put out. Never use or charge a damaged battery.
- Do not charge batteries when sleeping or not at home.
- Once the device has a full battery, disconnect it from the charger.
- Make sure a smoke alarm or heat alarm is working in rooms where batteries are charged or stored.
- Charge batteries on hard surfaces that can't catch on fire like concrete floors or tiles. Don't charge them on surfaces like beds, sofas, or carpet.
- Large batteries like the ones used in e-scooters, e-bikes, and power-tools, should only be charged in the garage, shed or carport, away from living spaces and exits.
Don't ignore the signs! A damaged or failing Lithium-ion battery can explode, releasing highly toxic fumes. These fires are hard to put out. Never use or charge a damaged battery.
- Do not charge batteries when sleeping or not at home.
- Once the device has a full battery, disconnect it from the charger.
- Make sure a smoke alarm or heat alarm is working in rooms where batteries are charged or stored.
- Charge batteries on hard surfaces that can't catch on fire like concrete floors or tiles. Don't charge them on surfaces like beds, sofas, or carpet.
- Large batteries like the ones used in e-scooters, e-bikes, and power-tools, should only be charged in the garage, shed or carport, away from living spaces and exits.
In the last five years, FRNSW has responded to 355 caravan and campervan fires, an average of more than one fire per week. Follow these simple safety tips to help stay safe while caravanning, camping or boating.
- Make sure your caravan has a working smoke alarm as well as a fire extinguisher (dry chemical powder) and a fire blanket located near the exit.
- Pre-plan how you can call Triple Zero (000) for help if your camping area has limited mobile coverage.
- Download the EmergencyPlus app [external link]. The app uses your mobile GPS data so we can get to you quickly if help is needed.
- Always fully extinguish campfires before going to bed.
- Ensure you turn off any pilot lights before towing or when the towing vehicle's engine is running.
Learn more caravan, camping and boating fire safety tips here.
In the last five years, FRNSW has responded to 355 caravan and campervan fires, an average of more than one fire per week. Follow these simple safety tips to help stay safe while caravanning, camping or boating.
- Make sure your caravan has a working smoke alarm as well as a fire extinguisher (dry chemical powder) and a fire blanket located near the exit.
- Pre-plan how you can call Triple Zero (000) for help if your camping area has limited mobile coverage.
- Download the EmergencyPlus app [external link]. The app uses your mobile GPS data so we can get to you quickly if help is needed.
- Always fully extinguish campfires before going to bed.
- Ensure you turn off any pilot lights before towing or when the towing vehicle's engine is running.
The Black Summer Bushfires taught us some terrifying lessons about the importance of being prepared and having a plan. If you and your home are well prepared, you stand a better chance of surviving a bushfire.
- You can make a bushfire plan online in as little as five minutes at www.myfireplan.com.au.
- Discuss what to do if a bushfire threatens your home.
- Prepare your home and get it ready for the bushfire season.
- Know the bushfire alert levels.
- Keep all bushfire information numbers, websites and download the Fires Near Me app.
Further information can be found at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/resources/bush-fire-survival-plan
The Black Summer Bushfires taught us some terrifying lessons about the importance of being prepared and having a plan. If you and your home are well prepared, you stand a better chance of surviving a bushfire.
- You can make a bushfire plan online in as little as five minutes at www.myfireplan.com.au.
- Discuss what to do if a bushfire threatens your home.
- Prepare your home and get it ready for the bushfire season.
- Know the bushfire alert levels.
- Keep all bushfire information numbers, websites and download the Fires Near Me app.
Did you know that you will not smell smoke while asleep? Only working smoke alarms save lives.
- Test that your smoke alarm/s are working. If not, change the batteries or replace the alarm.
- Check the smoke alarm is in date. Smoke alarms have a lifespan of ten years.
- Give the smoke alarm a vacuum, if you haven't done so in the last six months, to remove dust and any insects.
To meet legislation you must have at least one working smoke alarm on each level of the home placed between bedrooms and living areas, it's the law. FRNSW also recommends having one in each bedroom. Hardwired and interconnected is best.
Find out more about buying, installing and maintaining your smoke alarm
Did you know that you will not smell smoke while asleep? Only working smoke alarms save lives.
- Test that your smoke alarm/s are working. If not, change the batteries or replace the alarm.
- Check the smoke alarm is in date. Smoke alarms have a lifespan of ten years.
- Give the smoke alarm a vacuum, if you haven't done so in the last six months, to remove dust and any insects.
To meet legislation you must have at least one working smoke alarm on each level of the home placed between bedrooms and living areas, it's the law. FRNSW also recommends having one in each bedroom. Hardwired and interconnected is best.
The leading cause of home fires in NSW is leaving cooking unattended. Never leave cooking unattended. Stay in the kitchen while cooking and turn off the stove before you leave.
- Don't put anything metallic in the microwave and always double-check the timer.
- Keep matches and lighters out of reaches of children.
- Avoid cooking under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Keep loose clothing, fabrics, tea towels, curtains and flammable items away from the stove.
- Keep your oven, rangehood and grill clean and in good working order. A build-up of grease and fat can ignite in a fire.
The leading cause of home fires in NSW is leaving cooking unattended. Never leave cooking unattended. Stay in the kitchen while cooking and turn off the stove before you leave.
- Don't put anything metallic in the microwave and always double-check the timer.
- Keep matches and lighters out of reaches of children.
- Avoid cooking under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Keep loose clothing, fabrics, tea towels, curtains and flammable items away from the stove.
- Keep your oven, rangehood and grill clean and in good working order. A build-up of grease and fat can ignite in a fire.
Many hazardous and flammable fuels and chemicals are stored around the home including solvents, pool chemicals, petrol and pesticides.
It's important to correctly store, use and dispose of all chemicals appropriately.
- Read the label before purchasing any chemical.
- Choose the least dangerous product that will do the job.
- Seal and lock chemicals in a cabinet out of the reach of children.
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions. Handle with extreme caution and ensure adequate ventilation.
- Do not mix chemicals and reuse empty containers or repack product in different containers.
- Do not prepare more chemical than you need for the job.
- Do not use chemicals for jobs for which they are not intended.
- Contact your local council to discard old or unwanted chemicals? (See NSW Environment Protection Authority [external link])
- Follow first-aid instructions. If skin or eyes are burnt, if chemical has been swallowed or fumes inhaled - call your doctor, local hospital or an ambulance.
- Remember the Poisons Information Line: 131 126.
Many hazardous and flammable fuels and chemicals are stored around the home including solvents, pool chemicals, petrol and pesticides.
It's important to correctly store, use and dispose of all chemicals appropriately.
- Read the label before purchasing any chemical.
- Choose the least dangerous product that will do the job.
- Seal and lock chemicals in a cabinet out of the reach of children.
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions. Handle with extreme caution and ensure adequate ventilation.
- Do not mix chemicals and reuse empty containers or repack product in different containers.
- Do not prepare more chemical than you need for the job.
- Do not use chemicals for jobs for which they are not intended.
- Contact your local council to discard old or unwanted chemicals? (See NSW Environment Protection Authority [external link])
- Follow first-aid instructions. If skin or eyes are burnt, if chemical has been swallowed or fumes inhaled - call your doctor, local hospital or an ambulance.
- Remember the Poisons Information Line: 131 126.
Having a home escape plan in conjunction with a working smoke alarm will greatly increase your chances of getting out safely. Every second counts.
If there is a fire in your home, do not wait, EVERY SECOND COUNTS, GET OUT and STAY OUT and then call Triple Zero (000). Never go back inside a burning building.
Remember to consider the special needs of children, the elderly or the disabled when developing your escape plan.
- Draw your escape plan, and discuss it with your whole family. Download your grid here (PDF).
- Know and record two safe ways out of every room. Make sure that your windows and doors are not obstructed and can be unlocked and opened quickly if necessary.
- Practise your escape plan regularly with the whole household including pets. Your letter box is a great place to wait for firefighters arrival.
- As you escape make sure you close internal doors behind you. This can reduce fire spread and minimise damage.
Having a home escape plan in conjunction with a working smoke alarm will greatly increase your chances of getting out safely. Every second counts.
If there is a fire in your home, do not wait, EVERY SECOND COUNTS, GET OUT and STAY OUT and then call Triple Zero (000). Never go back inside a burning building.
Remember to consider the special needs of children, the elderly or the disabled when developing your escape plan.
- Draw your escape plan, and discuss it with your whole family. Download your grid here (PDF).
- Know and record two safe ways out of every room. Make sure that your windows and doors are not obstructed and can be unlocked and opened quickly if necessary.
- Practise your escape plan regularly with the whole household including pets. Your letter box is a great place to wait for firefighters arrival.
- As you escape make sure you close internal doors behind you. This can reduce fire spread and minimise damage.
Did you know?
The use of heaters, cigarettes and candles are common causes of fires.
When you're asleep, you won't smell the smoke from a fire.
You're twice as likely to die in a home fire if you don't have a working smoke alarm.
Fire and Rescue NSW responds to approximately
4500
residential fires each year. Half of these fires start in the kitchen, mostly due to unattended cooking.
Electrical appliances and faults cause almost 40% of home fires.