FRNSW statistics have shown that the cooler months see a 10 per cent increase in the number of home fires, with more fires in bedrooms and lounge rooms due to wood fires, heaters and electric blankets.

Harden Captain Wal Leonow said that although Harden and Murrumburrah have not recorded any house fires this winter so far, the Harden crew was called to assist with a house fire in Young earlier in the week.

The family, who were in the home at the time of the fire escaped, but one family member had to be treated for smoke inhalation.

“Don’t put yourself or your family at risk. We want to remind people to be careful when using heaters and to keep everything in the house ‘a metre from the heater’,” Captain Leonow said.

“There are a number of other simple steps you can take to make sure your home is not at risk of fire, like turning off heaters and electric blankets before leaving home or getting into bed.”

“We advise everyone to change the batteries in their smoke alarms at the end of daylight saving, but alarms should be checked every month to make sure they are working,” Captain Leonow said.

“It is a job that only takes a couple of minutes, but it could save a life.”

Captain Leonow also said that his crew were happy to assist the elderly in the community with these tasks as they understand it can be difficult for people to manage.

“We are here to help the community, it only takes a phone call,” he said.

We would much rather attend someone’s home to help prevent a fire rather than have to put one out.”

Anyone wishing to learn more about fire prevention can access information by heading to www.frnsw.com.au, or give Captain Leonow a call on 0427 862 518.

But remember, in an emergency to ‘get out, stay out and call triple zero’.