House fire claims rise when the mercury plummets, according to new research from Suncorp.

Analysis of the group’s Suncorp Insurance, AAMI, GIO, Apia, Shannons, Vero and Resilium brands shows that between 2012 and last year 5456 home fire claims were made in winter across Australia ­– up 12% on autumn and marginally ahead of summer.

Victoria recorded the most winter fires with 1661, while NSW had the biggest increase from summer to winter, up from 1200 to 1449.