Increase in deadly household fire incidents
In the face of increasing domestic fire risks, RACV Home Insurance is urging homeowners to take proactive measures to protect their properties and loved ones. The focus is on common causes of fires, such as faulty appliances, cooking accidents, and clutter.
Regular Inspection and Maintenance of Appliances
Faulty electrical appliances are a significant fire risk. To mitigate this, RACV recommends using licensed professionals for the inspection, maintenance, and repair of electrical systems and appliances. Regular checks can help identify potential issues before they escalate into a fire hazard.
Cooking Safety
Cooking accidents are a common cause of domestic fires. To prevent such incidents, RACV advises never leaving cooking unattended, keeping flammable items away from stovetops, and ensuring kitchen ventilation is adequate. It's also important to be extra vigilant when cooking, especially around children, and always ensure the gas or electricity is completely off before walking away.
Reducing Clutter
Clutter around heaters, stoves, and electrical outlets can ignite easily. Keeping areas tidy and free from flammable materials helps prevent fires from spreading. This includes disposing of all unnecessary flammable items such as cardboard boxes and paperwork in the home and garage.
Safety Equipment
Installing smoke alarms and having accessible fire extinguishers in key locations, especially the kitchen, helps control small fires before they escalate. Smoke alarms should be checked monthly, replaced annually (unless they are lithium), fitted in every bedroom and living area, interconnected, and professionally installed if unsure.
Proactive Risk Management
Adopting a proactive risk management approach involves regularly reviewing home safety practices, maintaining clear emergency exit routes, and educating all household members about fire safety procedures. This holistic approach ensures a safe and secure home environment.
While RACV does not provide specific recommendations on these measures, the general principles align with industry best practices.
RACV Contents Insurance
In addition to prevention measures, RACV Contents Insurance can help safeguard you from financial loss due to domestic fires. As the festive season approaches, it's important to ensure that Victorians have adequate home insurance coverage to protect their buildings and contents in the event of something unexpected, such as fire.
In Financial Year 2021, cooking accidents were the second leading cause of a spike in fatal domestic fire claims. The data also revealed a significant rise in domestic fire claims involving a fatality. Faulty appliances, such as electric blankets, batteries in charge, ovens in use, and clothes dryers, were the leading cause of a spike in fatal domestic fire claims.
Improper garage storage was a common reason for the increase in domestic fire claims, but the specific details were not provided. Cigarette butts were the cause of 5 claims in the increase of domestic fire claims. Underlining the devastating financial impact of fire in the home, RACV Home Insurance holders made 78 large domestic fire claims where the cost for damages exceeded $100,000 in Financial Year 2021.
RACV Head of Home Insurance Kirsty Hayes emphasized the importance of being vigilant to the constant danger of fire in the home. She advises smokers to always smoke outside of the home, ensure the cigarette is completely extinguished before disposal, and dispose of it responsibly.
In conclusion, RACV's emphasis on prevention by addressing known fire risks and promoting regular upkeep and vigilance around potential hazards in the home environment is a commendable initiative. It's crucial for homeowners to take these measures seriously to ensure a safer home environment.
- Conscious of the rise in domestic fire claims related to faulty appliances, RACV Home Insurance urges homeowners to inspect, maintain, and repair electrical systems and appliances regularly to reduce the risk of accidents and fires.
- To minimize accidents in the home-and-garden sector, it is essential to practice cooking safety measures such as never leaving cooking unattended, ensuring proper ventilation, and keeping flammable items away from heat sources.
