How to avoid a fire in your home

Did you know that many house fires are preventable? 

At GIO, we received over 221 house fire claims between October 2022 – October 2023. We’ve also seen an increase in the damage caused by house fires due to:

• the use of more flammable building materials
• an increase in household appliances with lithium batteries, and
• a rising popularity of open-plan home designs.

Whether you are a landlord, homeowner, or renter, knowing the causes of house fires can help you reduce the risk. Help keep your property and your loved ones safe by reviewing some of the most common causes below.

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Common reasons for a house fire

Unsupervised cooking equipment

We’re all busy, but stepping away from the stove – even briefly – can have serious consequences. Avoid leaving pots and pans unattended, as they can quickly overheat and start a fire. Once you’ve finished cooking, check that you’ve turned off the stove or oven.

Keep flammable items such as tea towels, wooden utensils or oven mitts at a safe distance from hot surfaces. A small habit can prevent a major accident. 

Outdoor barbecues

Regularly check your barbecue’s fittings and connections, and maintain them as necessary. Incorrectly fitted gas bottles can be dangerous. When your barbecue is not in use, turn off the gas bottle.

Poor quality phone chargers

We’ve all forgotten our phone charger at least once. While picking up an inexpensive replacement might seem like a good idea, they can pose serious risks.

Many smartphone chargers from non-reputable manufacturers deliver the incorrect voltage and current to your device. This can overheat the battery and damage it over time, increasing the risk of electrocution or a fire. 

Consider investing in quality chargers from reputable sources – your safety is worth the extra cost. Also, avoid overloading your power points and power boards by charging too many devices at the same time. 

Household appliances

House fires are often caused by incorrectly maintained or faulty electrical appliances. So, it’s important to regularly service them and replace them when necessary. Keep an eye on:

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

Dryers deserve special mention. They can ignite from lint build up, so the lint trap should be cleaned regularly. Refer to your user manual if you’re unsure about how to clean one. 

It’s tempting to switch on the dishwasher, washing machine or dryer if you’re heading out or going to bed, but you should try to avoid it. It's safer to be present while they're operating. 

Check the wires of your household appliances often for damage and unplug any that are not in use.

Storage in garages and sheds

Unfortunately, many garages and sheds don’t have a smoke or heat alarm to alert you if a fire breaks out. And yet, it’s common for garages to be cluttered with flammable materials and lithium-battery powered items. Think about installing a standalone smoke or heat alarm in these areas for peace of mind. 

Lithium battery powered devices

You can find lithium-ion batteries in many of the electronic devices we use today, including:

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

The batteries in these devices can pose a serious fire risk if they aren’t charged, stored or disposed of correctly. Fires caused by lithium-ion batteries aren’t like other fires. Rapid and intense, they:

• are hard to put out
• can restart even if you think they’ve been put out, and
• create toxic fumes and explosive gas. 

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully when charging and storing your devices. When you’re charging a device with a lithium battery, remember to:

• prevent overcharging by unplugging your device when it’s finished
• keep your device on a hard surface
• charge in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight
• use an appropriate charger that matches your device’s power requirement, and
• never plug your device in if the battery is damaged. 

Solar panels

Solar panels are becoming increasingly popular across the country as a source of green, cost-saving energy. And while they’re no more dangerous than other electricity source, installation and maintenance are key to minimising the risk of fire.   

Faulty electrical components, such as DC isolators, solar inverters, and solar batteries, present the highest risk. These components can catch fire if:

• they are installed with incompatible electrical components
• the components fail due to high running temperatures, or
• they are not properly maintained. 

It’s up to your installer to ensure each component is compatible in your solar system. Choosing a reputable installer who is both licensed and insured can help you keep your fire risk down.  

Even after a perfect installation, solar systems require regular maintenance to operate safely and efficiently. Your installer can advise you on how often your system should be maintained, but if you’re in doubt, aim to have it serviced every two years.

Incorrectly stored flammable liquids and chemicals

Flammable liquids, like petrol or methylated spirits, can catch fire or explode if kept near a heat source. Make sure to keep these chemicals stored somewhere cool and dry. 

Christmas and fairy lights

During the festive season, many homeowners and renters keep lights on for extended periods, which can unfortunately lead to overheating and potentially a fire. Switching off your festive lights when you’re in bed or away from home is a simple way to protect your property.

Candles, cigarettes and e-cigarettes

Open flames such as candles present a great risk of starting a fire. Keep candles well away from curtains, books, and other flammable items, and always extinguish them before leaving the room. 

Be careful with e-cigarettes and vapes as they contain lithium-powered batteries which are highly flammable. If someone in your household smokes traditional cigarettes, use deep ashtrays and avoid smoking in bed. Falling asleep with a lit cigarette is a common cause of house fires.

Leaving gas on when away on holiday

Planning an extended getaway? Take a moment to turn off your gas supply before you leave. This can prevent potential gas leaks or fires while you're enjoying your holiday.

Update your home insurance

Life changes, and so do our insurance needs. Regular reviews of your policy details, including your sum insured, help ensure you're properly protected. It’s also important to check your insurance policy’s fine print, as different policies cover different things.

With GIO, all Home & Contents Insurance and Landlord Insurance policies automatically cover loss or damage caused by fire, including bushfire*, malicious damage and theft. Limits, conditions and exclusions apply, so read the PDS for full details about what is and is not covered.

GIO also offers cover for:

• temporary accommodation, including utility costs, for you and your pets if your home is damaged and cannot be lived in
• replacement of your plants, trees and garden beds, and
• environmental improvements, such as a rainwater tank or solar system, if your home is severely damaged and did not previously have environmental equipment.^

When we repair or rebuild the home, we provide a lifetime guarantee on the quality of workmanship for the repair or rebuild if we authorise, arrange and pay the builder or repairer directly for this work. For the full details including exclusions, please read the PDS.

Ready to review your coverage? If you have GIO Home Insurance you can update your policy details via online or the GIO Insurance App.

Review and update my policy

• Are you insured for a bushfire?
  
• How can I prepare my home for a bushfire?
  
• 5 unanticipated expenses that Home and Contents Insurance can help cover
  

*We do not insure you for 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.

Insurance issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 trading as GIO. Read the Product Disclosure Statement before buying this insurance. Go to gio.com.au for a copy. Target Market Determination is 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.