ACT Fire and Rescue crews are warning Canberrans to be vigilant when it comes to warming their homes after a spike in heater and dryer-related fires last year.
ACT Emergency Services Minister Mick Gentleman launched the winter home fire safety campaign on Tuesday as the capital braces for this week's winter chill.
Temperatures dropped to minus 6 degrees on Monday and minus 4 degrees on Tuesday, with more sub-zero mornings expected.
ACT Fire and Rescue acting chief officer Matthew Mavity said fires could "go from an incipient stage to a built-up fire within seconds".
"Everyone's always surprised about how quickly a fire in their house can start," Mr Mavity said.
"Working smoke alarms is always the best warning to get people out of the house because it often happens when people aren't watching or are asleep."
ACT Fire and Rescue responds to 230 house fires each year, with higher numbers in winter. With more homes embracing open plan living, it doesn't take long for blazes to spread.
Mr Mavity said reducing the risk of fire is as simple as keeping a fire blanket and extinguisher around.
"You need to get [fire extinguishers and blankets] - they are available on the market," Mr Mavity said.
"Make sure they have the Australian standards tick on it, make sure you know how to use them and check out the proper resources and process on our website.
"We'll be having three focus areas across winter in June, July and August.
"June we'll be looking at how to use fire blankets and fire extinguishers. In July we're going to move onto heater and dryer fires, and in August we're going to concentrate on the leading cause of fires ... across the ACT, kitchen fires."
Functioning smoke alarms are a big priority. Other steps home owners can take to prevent fires are keeping flammable materials at least one metre from a heater, regularly cleaning the lint filter in their dryers, and not leaving cooking unattended, Mr Mavity added.
ACT Fire and Rescue will be delivering its community safety campaign through the ACT Emergency Services Agency's social media channels and website over the next few months.
- For more information visit esa.act.gov.au/be-emergency-ready/home-fire-safety
