IAG subsidiary NRMA Insurance has cautioned policyholders to be aware of fire risks this winter, with new data showing a 15% rise in house fire incidents compared to the previous season.  

NRMA Insurance says it received 1143 home and contents fire-related claims last year. While claims for the current year stand at 294, the insurer says it expects a sharp rise during winter as heaters and household appliances use increases.  

“Australians are using heating appliances and open fires more frequently in winter, so we want everyone to be aware of some of the potential risks and the safety precautions you can take to avoid them,” NRMA Insurance Claims Executive Manager Natalie Major said.  

“A fire in the home can easily be sparked in the kitchen, or by a heater, fireplace or candle, and once the flames take hold, it can spread quickly, putting lives and safety at risk.”  

NRMA Insurance says the leading cause of fires is cooking, with 25% of fire claims caused by kitchen equipment, noting faulty products and unattended stovetops and ovens as common reasons for damage.  

The dataset also shows other factors contributing to fire damage, with air conditioners counting for 7%, fuse boxes causing 6%, and heating products and fireplaces making up 3.5%. NRMA Insurance also noted a 15% rise in claims from candle fires since 2020, with 38 incidents occurring last year.  

Ms Major says it is essential that homeowners ensure that their heating appliances are in good condition and regularly serviced and that smoke alarms are entirely functional in the event of a fire.  

The findings also listed solar panels, outdoor machinery and laundry appliances as other products contributing to fire claims, while arson and neighbouring fires rounded out the list of causes.