How to prevent fires in your home

Did you know most house fires are preventable? Our AAMI Home Insurance claims data tells us that there were over 700 house fire claims across Australia in the last 13 months (October 2022 – October 2023). We’ve also seen an increase in the damage caused by house fires linked to factors like:

• the proximity of neighbouring homes
• more flammable building materials being used in homes, and
• the rising popularity of open-plan home designs.

We’ve listed the most common causes of house fires below to help you avoid them, whether you’re a homeowner, renter, or landlord.

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Common causes for house fires

Unattended cooking equipment

Left alone, pots and pans on your stovetop can quickly overheat and cause a fire, so make sure to keep an eye on them. Once you’re done cooking, remember to double check that the stove or oven is turned off.

Also, move flammable items like wooden utensils, tea towels, and oven mitts away from hot surfaces.

Outdoor BBQs

Summer is a great time to put on a backyard BBQ. But before you start cooking, check that your gas bottle is correctly connected to your BBQ and the fitting is in good condition. An incorrectly connected gas bottle can pose a serious fire risk.

When your BBQ is not in use, remember to turn off the gas bottle.

Household appliances

Faulty electrical appliances can easily start a house fire, so it’s important to properly maintain or replace them when necessary. Common appliances which may start a fire include:

• toasters
• kettles
• fridges
• dishwashers
• washing machines, and
• dryers.

Dryers especially may ignite from lint build up, so refer to the user manual when cleaning out your dryer’s lint trap.

If you’re leaving your home or heading to bed, avoid turning on the dishwasher, washing machine or dryer, to reduce the risk of a fire while the appliance is unattended. Unplug other household devices when not in use and regularly check wires for damage.

Low quality phone chargers

While it’s tempting to pick up a cheaper, non-branded chargers for your smartphone, these chargers are often lower in quality and don’t deliver the correct voltage and current. These can overheat and damage your phone’s battery, significantly increasing the risk of electrocution and a fire. Think about going with branded or officially certified phone chargers instead.

Try also to avoid charging too many devices at the same time. Doing so can overload your power point or power board and cause an electrical fire.

Storage in garages and sheds

Garages and sheds are often used as storage space for all the items we don’t want in our homes, like lithium-ion battery-powered devices and flammable liquids. However, most garages don’t have a smoke or heat alarm. Consider installing one to alert you in case a fire breaks out.

Lithium-ion battery powered items

From phones to e-bikes, lithium-ion batteries power plenty of our everyday devices. You'll find them in:

• laptops
• smartphones and tablets
• e-scooters and e-bikes, and
• power tools.

While these batteries help keep our lives running smoothly, they can also present a huge fire hazard, especially while they’re being charged. Lithium-ion battery fires are different from regular fires. They:

• burn incredibly hot and fast,
• can spark up again even after you think they're out, and
• release dangerous toxins and gases.

The good news? You can significantly reduce your fire risk with a bit of common sense. When you’re charging a device with a lithium-ion battery, remember the following:

• Unplug your device once it’s fully charged.
• Only charge on hard services – avoid putting your device on a bed or couch.
• Choose a cool, dry spot away from sunlight.
• Always use the right charger for your device (this helps your battery last longer, too).
• Keep an eye out for signs of battery damage, like excessive heat, smells and leaks.

Solar panels

Solar panels are a great way to power your home while being kind to both the environment and your wallet. While they're as safe as your regular electricity supply, proper installation and maintenance is key to ensuring they remain fire safe.  

The electrical components in a solar system (like DC isolators, inverters, and batteries) need proper care. They can run into trouble if:

• they're paired with parts that don't match up,
• they get too hot while running, or
• they miss out on regular check-ups.

A reputable installer – one who’s licensed and insured - will make sure all your solar system’s components work together perfectly. They can also offer advice on when to get your system serviced. 

If you’re not sure about a maintenance schedule, booking a service every two years is a good place to start.

Flammable liquids and chemicals stored incorrectly

Avoid exposing chemicals to heat or moisture by storing them in a cool, dry place. Some pool chemicals may explode when stored incorrectly, while flammable liquids like methylated spirits or petrol can catch fire if stored near a heat source.

Christmas lights

Festive lights may be one of the best parts of holiday season, but lights left on for extended periods can quickly overheat and become a fire hazard. Remember to switch off your Christmas lights before heading to bed or if you’re going out.

Candles, cigarettes and e-cigarettes

While comforting, candles in homes also increase the risk of fires. Put candles and lighters out of reach from pets and children, and at a safe distance from flammable materials, like books or curtains. Make sure to blow out the candles when you exit the room.

If using e-cigarettes or vapes, charge them safely as they contain lithium powered batteries which are highly flammable. For traditional cigarettes, use deep ashtrays and avoid smoking in bed to reduce the risk of falling asleep and setting fire to the bedding.

Keeping on the gas when going on a holiday

If you're heading on your next vacation, consider switching off your gas supply safely to reduce the risk of any potential gas leaks or fires while you're gone.

Check your home insurance covers fire damage

With AAMI Home Insurance policies you’re covered for loss or damage caused by fires and bushfires*. Limits, conditions and exclusions apply, so read the PDS for full details about what is and is not covered.

AAMI Home & Contents Insurance and Landlord Insurance policies also cover:

• temporary accommodation, including utility costs, if your home is damaged and cannot be lived in,
• accidental breakage of glass, and
• motor burnout, such as in a fridge or pool water pump, for motors that are less than seven years old.^

And if you’re worried about whether the sum insured on your policy may leave your home underinsured, for an additional cost, we offer an optional Complete Replacement Cover on AAMI Home & Contents, Building Only and Landlord Insurance policies. It’s our best protection against underinsurance as:

• you don’t need to set a sum insured, and
• it provides peace of mind if you’re uncertain how much it will cost to rebuild your home.

The most we will pay for any one incident is the assessed quote to repair or rebuild the building on a ‘new for old’ basis, unless we say otherwise in your policy. You can upgrade to Complete Replacement Cover when getting a quote online or by calling us on 13 22 44 for existing policies at renewal. For the full details including conditions and exclusions, read the PDS.

So review your AAMI Home Insurance coverage and update your policy details online or via the AAMI App.

The most we will pay for any one incident is the assessed quote to repair or rebuild the building on a ‘new for old’ basis, unless we say otherwise in your policy. You can upgrade to Complete Replacement Cover when getting a quote online or by calling us on 13 22 44 for existing policies at renewal. For the full details including conditions and exclusions, read the PDS.

So review your AAMI Home Insurance coverage and update your policy details via online or the AAMI App.

Review and update my policy

Read more:

• How to prepare your home for bushfires
  
• How home maintenance can help with insurance claims
  
• How much insurance do I need for bushfire protection?
  

* We do not insure bushfire, storm, storm surge, flood or tsunami in the first 72 hours of your policy. Very limited exceptions apply.

^ Limits, conditions and exclusions apply, read the PDS for full details about what is and is not covered.

AAMI Insurance is issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 trading as AAMI. Please read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before buying this insurance. Go to aami.com.au for a copy. Target Market Determination also available. This advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situation or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it.