A house fire can take hold within minutes and knowing what to do in the first five is critical to saving lives.
The key home safety finding comes from new analysis of more than 30,000 structure fire reports released on April 28 by Fire and Rescue New South Wales (FRNSW).
That’s a key finding from new research released on April 28 by Fire and Rescue NSW into 30,800 structure fire reports.
The research into home fire reports from 2016 to 2021 also found that while accidental blazes are becoming less frequent, they are more often lethal.
These fires can be caused by flammable spills and leaks or electrical, heating or appliance faults.
FRNSW Field Operations Deputy Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said a fire can take hold in a matter of minutes and response time is critical in saving lives.
When a structure fire extends beyond the room of origin, the odds of fatality increased 4.3 times, the report said.
When structure fires occur at night, the odds of fatality increased 1.8 times.
Hoarding was also found to increase the risk of fatality, injury, ability to evacuate and risk of a fire extending throughout the home.
Fewtrell said early identification of shared risk factors at a residence was critical and programs are needed to educate the community about what to do in the first five minutes of a fire.
“Every winter you are at greater risk of death or serious injury from a fire starting in your home,” Fewtrell said.
“When there is a fire, get out and stay out.”
