THE NSW fire brigade is calling on all homeowners to take care this winter with electrical appliances around the home.
As the cold weather approaches heaters and other electrical appliances are taken out of storage and put into the home and NSW Fire Brigades warn that extra care should be taken when warming up the home.
Seniors are asked to be extra mindful of potential fire dangers in the home.
The 65 years and over age group represents over 31 percent of all fire death victims which is nearly three times greater than that of the general community.
Wauchope Fire Station Commander Brian Smith said the majority of residential fires begin in the kitchen often due to cooking being left unattended on the stove.
“It is very easy to become distracted while cooking, answering the phone or answering a knock on the door,” he said.
“But it is important to be aware of the risks and not to become complacent.
Commander Smith said the importance of fire safety measures such as smoke alarms and home escape plans should never be underestimated.
“Everyone not just the elderly should develop and practise a home escape plan, as it can prove life saving in the event of an emergency,” he said.
The major causes of fire in the home in the colder months and the ones to look out for are electrical blankets, candles, heaters and open fires.
Electrical blankets can become a problem when they have been stored incorrectly by folding them and storing things on top of them.
To ensure the life of your electrical blanket roll it up and don't store anything on top of it.
Have your blanket as well as any other electrical appliances checked by an electrician every few years and check for hot spots the first time you use your electric blanket.
"It's very easy to be fire smart in the home,” Commander Smith said.
“Candles are the most dangerous things to have in the house and extra care should be taken when using them.
“Remember to run off all non-essential appliances at the wall and unplug them if you can, particularly if you are going out, or going on holidays.
“We can offer any information to those who need it about the best way to keep safe from fire.
“It’s so important to keep your family safe and it’s so easy so there’s no excuse.”