More than half of the people killed in house fires over the past five years were aged over 60, Fire and Emergency New Zealand has revealed.

Acting Deputy Chief Executive Nick Pyatt said the number of older people dying in house fires was far too high, and every death could have been prevented.

“Fifty-five per cent of house fire deaths in the last five years were people over 60,” Pyatt said.

“Every one of these tragedies was preventable.”

Fire and Emergency is calling on New Zealanders to look out for vulnerable friends, neighbours, and family members, particularly as winter brings a sharp rise in fire risk.

“It’s a particularly risky time for older people right now, as every winter brings a spike in the number of house fires caused by heaters, chimneys, hot ashes, electric blankets, and dryers,” Pyatt said.

“We see at least 50 per cent more of these fires in May, June and July compared with the rest of the year.”

He said house fire safety was a shared responsibility.

“We’re asking people to ensure whānau, friends and neighbours are heating their houses safely, have working smoke alarms, and know how to get out of their houses safely in a fire,” he said.

“That way we can prevent further tragedies happening this winter.”

Fire and Emergency has prioritised public education around fire prevention, but Pyatt said it could not do the job alone.

“This is on all of us,” he said.

“Do they have working smoke alarms in every bedroom, living area and hallway, or can you give them a hand to install them if they don’t?

“Do they have at least two escape routes out of their house? Are clothes or furniture too close to the heater, or are there dangerous heaters or appliances in the home?”

He urged people to check in on older members of the community before another preventable tragedy occurs.