WINTER house fires in Queanbeyan-Palerang are higher than the state’s average, statistics reveal.

The data, from Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW), show seven house fires, on average, in winter in the Queanbeyan-Palerang local government area.

The average number of house fires across the state is four.

The statistics put Queanbeyan higher than the state’s average when it comes to house-related fires.

Trent Curtin, FRNSW assistant commissioner community safety, said the figures serve as a stark reminder for householders to be vigilant about fire danger especially in winter.

“Our busiest period each year is during the cooler months, unfortunately 20 people die each year in house fires across NSW, that’s quite significant,” Mr Curtin said.

Most of the 350 home-related fires that occur across the state are preventable, Mr Curtin said, with many fires related to cooking, electrical mishaps and heating systems.

“More than half of fires start in the kitchen so its important that when you are cooking you must pay attention because a fire can escape in a few minutes, it can take hold of a room and fill a house with smoke in a short amount of time,” Mr Curtin said.

Additionally some 40 per cent of annual fire-related injuries occur in August, the highest of any other month throughout the year, according to FRNSW.

Mr Curtin said Queanbeyan-Palerang residents should conduct a DIY home fire safety check to reduce the fire risk in their homes and check that smoke alarms are working.

Meantime, ACT Fire & Rescue recorded a decrease of 41 per cent in kitchen related fires for the months of June and July 2021, in comparison to 2020.

Data shows a drop in kitchen fires

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