Winter Heaters, Fire Hazards & Forgotten Switchboards: What You Should Know Before It’s Too Late

Winter's here — and so are the fire risks most people forget about.

It’s the season of electric blankets, bar heaters, and all the gadgets we rely on to stay warm. But while we’re layering up indoors, your home’s electrical system is probably working overtime. And if it's outdated or overloaded, winter can go from cosy to catastrophic in a flash.

We’re not here to scare anyone. But the stats speak for themselves.

🚨 According to Fire and Rescue NSW, winter is the peak time for house fires — and many are electrical.

🚨 Old appliances, dodgy power boards, and faulty heaters are some of the biggest culprits.
🚨 One of the most overlooked dangers? Outdated switchboards that weren’t designed for modern loads.

3 Things to Check Before You Crank the Heater

1. Your Switchboard Isn’t As Tough As You Think
If your switchboard’s still got ceramic fuses or no safety switches (RCDs), it’s time to upgrade.
Today’s homes demand more from circuits, air con, dryers, laptops, and heaters. Older boards weren’t built for it.
You don’t need to be an expert. Just open it up:

• If you see ceramic fuses, call a licensed sparkie.

• No test button on your switches? That’s no RCD — and that’s a problem.

More on RCDs here from Electrical Safety Queensland (worth a read).

2. Power Boards and Piggyback Plugs: The Silent Fire-Starters
Plugging a heater into a power board that’s already running the TV, Xbox, and a lamp? Recipe for disaster.
Stick to the golden rule:

• Heaters into the wall socket, not a power board.

• Use power boards with overload protection and never daisy-chain them.

3. Dusty Heaters = Smoky Living Rooms
That first use of an old bar heater? Smells like burnt toast? That’s dust inside the unit.
It’s also a good time to vacuum out air con filters if you're using reverse cycle for heating. Blocked filters = more power use and more stress on the system.

Quick Tip for Landlords and Body Corporates

If you’re managing a property or complex, remember: you’ve got a duty of care.
Now’s a good time to:

• Test smoke alarms in common areas

• Schedule RCD testing

• Do a visual inspection of heaters in rentals (yes, tenants sometimes use scary old things)

Need an EOFY inspection or test & tag quote?

We do these for body corps, businesses and landlords across the Gold Coast, Tweed and Northern NSW.

Final word?
It doesn’t take much for a small electrical fault to become a big drama. A quick safety check now can keep you warm without risking your family, tenants, or staff.

Stay safe this winter. If you’re unsure, have a professional take a look. It’s not overkill, it’s prevention.