Dubbo Fire and Rescue NSW station officer Mick Medlin believes commonsense is the underlying factor standing between residents and heating safety in their homes.
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Mr Medlin is encouraging Dubbo residents to be extra cautious to ensure their homes remain safe during the winter season.
"Majority of fire-related deaths on residential properties occur during winter," Mr Medlin said.
"Almost all house fires start in the kitchen."
But, Mr Medlin said it was also very important for residents to ensure all-round maintenance on household electronics.
"We offer a Home Fire Safety Audit to Dubbo residents, which help people to not only fix the fire hazards in their houses, but also help them understand the impact it could have," he said.
Firefighters Bernie McTeirnan and Matt Havercroft both agreed household risk could be lowered by simple acts of precaution.
"The main point we need to get out to people is to stop overloading power points and power boards," Mr McTeirnan said.
He said it was important for residents to pay specific attention to how they maintained heating and electrical appliances in their lounge rooms.
"Electric blankets are also a huge risk - I wouldn't have them in my house," he said.
"If you're going to have them in your house then I can't emphasis enough how necessary it is to keep them well maintained."
"Electric blankets need to meet the Australian standards," Mr Havercroft said.
In terms of maintaining wood fires in the home, Mr Havercroft said to make sure a fireplace was regularly emptied of excess debris and protected with a spark guard.
"I think the main point to get across to people is to check their smoke alarms are functioning in the key areas of their homes," he said.
To register for a Home Fire Safety Audit go to www.homefiresafetyaudit.com.au
