Firies issue pre-Winter caution to avoid appliance-related house fires

After an unseasonable May cold snap left many Sydneysiders scrambling for ways to keep warm, Fire and Rescue NSW are calling on locals to exercise caution when using heaters and other devices as the number of heater-related NSW housefires remains in the hundreds every winter.

Though the Bureau of Meteorology predicts this winter will actually be a few degrees warmer than recent years, many will still turn to electric appliances to warm up as the cooler conditions set in.

While the data shows the number of fires has been trending downward, with 895 fires reported during winter last year, the number is still 'far too high' according to experts.

FRNSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry has also urged people to check their smoke detectors and avoid using outdoor appliances like cookers and heaters in enclosed spaces due to carbon monoxide poisoning, which also sees a significant spike in cases every winter according to Poisons NSW.

Last winter (2022) the data reveals there were 895 house fires reported during the three month period, down slightly on the 954 cases in 2021. Though not all of these fires can be attributed directly to the struggle to stay warm, there is a clear spike in numbers during the colder months - just like the cases of carbon monoxide exposure.

How cold will Sydney be this winter?

But with the emergence of El Nino trending temperatures worryingly upward ahead of what looks to be a scorching summer, the Bureau of Meteorology says the winter chill will be significantly stifled and rain will be below average, despite the freezing temperatures experienced across the state at times during May.

"In areas where you have an average maximum temperature of 10 degrees, it might be more - 12, 13 or 14 degrees," BOM Climatologist Brad Jackson told the ABC earlier this month.

"Minimum temperatures around Australia are still looking above average throughout eastern New South Wales... So you're looking at some slightly warmer nights probably as well."

Despite Jackson's suggestion that this winter will be more tolerable than recent years, many residents have already turned to heaters and electric blankets during May, and they're unlikely to return to storage any time before September.

Ways to beat the chill

But there are other ways you can try to beat the winter chill that won't just reduce your fire risk, they'll also save you money on electricity in the midst of the ongoing economic crisis.

1. Whether you're using heaters or not, the change of seasons is a perfect time to check that all the smoke alarms in your house are working and have new batteries.
2. Change all your ceiling fans to 'winter mode' by flicking the switch that is typically found somewhere on the unit connecting the blades to the ceiling.
3. Utilise your blinds. Don't just open them up during the day to let the heat in, make sure you close them again as the sun sets to retain as much of that warmth as possible, as it escapes through glass quite easily. Naturally, keep windows closed.
4. Extra blankets! Whether you're in bed or on the couch, grab a blanket the next time you're cold. Failing that, cheap and warm trackpants continue to be an Australian staple - and you can wear more than one pair at once OR sneak them under some jeans for extra warmth in the coldest conditions.
5. Go draught hunting. Patrol your house looking for the cracks and little openings where cold air can get in. Use a sealant or any other custom means you can think of to close these gaps, which will help keep heat in.
6. From rugs on the floor to picture frames on the wall, every layer you can add to your house will help insulate you against cold temperatures, even if you don't have the capital to go out and instal proper insulation on a whim.

Got any other tips? Let us know in the comments below! 

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