Fire and Rescue NSW said the number of house fires increased by 10 per cent during the cooler months, with more incidents in bedrooms and lounge rooms owing to heaters and electric blankets.

Station officer Simon Huggett urged people to make sure smoke alarms were present and tested regularly.

"A fire can take hold in just three minutes, filling your home with deadly smoke," he said.

"For less than the cost of a family takeaway dinner, you can install a smoke alarm which may just save your life and the lives of your loved one."

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Other advice included not overloading power boards, keeping items away from heaters, not using outdoor heating and cooking equipment inside, checking electric blankets for damage and having a home escape plan.

Last year Fire and Rescue NSW attended 3740 residential blazes while there have been more than 1270 already in 2021, seven of them fatal.

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