How to help prevent fires in your home

Preventable house fires are one of the leading causes of home insurance claims. There were over 300 claims for damage caused by house fire lodged with Suncorp Insurance between July 2023 and June 2024.

We've also observed an increase in the severity of house fire claims due to:

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

So whether you're a homeowner, renter or landlord, you could prevent a house fire at your property by learning some of the most common causes below.

Get a Suncorp Home & Contents Insurance quote

Common causes of house fires

Unattended cooking equipment

Unattended pots and pans can easily overheat and start a fire, so always keep an eye on your cooking. When you’re done, double check that the stove or oven is turned off.

Keep flammable items like oven mitts, wooden utensils and tea towels at a safe distance from hot surfaces.

Outdoor BBQs

Who doesn't love a good backyard BBQ? But incorrectly connected gas bottles can pose a serious fire risk, so regularly check and maintain your BBQ's fittings and connections.

Also remember to turn off the gas bottle when your BBQ is not in use.

Cheap phone chargers

While it may be tempting to buy non-branded, cheap chargers for your smartphone, these are often not made to handle the amps your phone requires for charging. This can increase the risk of electrocution or the phone charger catching fire. Consider purchasing phone chargers from official stores or brands compatible with your smartphone.

Avoid overloading your power points and power boards as charging too many devices simultaneously could also cause a fire.

Lithium battery powered items

You can find lithium-ion batteries in many common devices, including:

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

While convenient, these items can pose a fire risk if they’re not stored, charged or disposed of correctly. It’s important to remember that lithium-ion battery fires:

• are hard to put out;
• can restart even if they appear to be out; and
• create toxic fumes and explosive gas.

Lithium-ion batteries can also contribute to spreading or increasing the intensity of house fires as they are a fuel source.

To help prevent these types of fires, always follow the manufacturer's instructions for charging and storing your devices. Here are some general safe charging tips:

• Unplug your devices after they’re fully charged. Most mobile phones are now programmed to stop charging once the battery is full, which is a great safety feature. However, this may not be the case for other devices.
• Charge on hard surfaces. Avoid leaving devices charging on the bed or couches.
• Charge in a cool, dry place.
• Don’t charge devices in direct sunlight or if the battery is damaged. 

Household appliances

Electrical appliances may cause fires when they haven’t been serviced as required, or they’re faulty and haven’t been repaired or replaced. Some common appliances that can start a fire include:

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

Dryers in particular can ignite due to accumulated lint, so refer to the user manual when cleaning out your dryer’s lint trap.

Avoid turning on the dishwasher, washing machine or dryer if you’re heading out or going to bed. A fire could start while the appliance is unattended. Unplug your other household devices when they’re not in use and inspect wires regularly for damage.

Incorrect storage of flammable liquids and chemicals

Some pool chemicals can react explosively when stored incorrectly, and flammable liquids such as petrol or methylated spirits can catch fire if kept near a heat source. Always store these chemicals in a cool, dry place and away from exposure to heat or moisture.

Decorative and fairy lights

While decorative or fairy lights can add a festive touch to your home, leaving them on for extended periods can lead to overheating and potentially a fire. Always remember to switch off these lights when not in use, while away from home, or before heading to bed.

Candles, cigarettes and e-cigarettes/vapes

The use of candles in homes also creates a higher risk of house fires. Ensure candles and lighters are kept out of reach from children and pets, and away from flammable materials, such as books or curtains. Remember to put out candles when you leave the room.

Be cautious if using e-cigarettes or vapes as they contain lithium powered batteries which are highly flammable. Use deep ashtrays for traditional cigarettes and avoid smoking in bed as the lit cigarette can set fire to the bedding.

Solar panels

Solar installations in Australia are on the rise as we become more aware of their impact on power consumption charges and sustainability issues. And while solar panel systems generally pose a low fire risk when properly installed and maintained, there are potential risks to be aware of.

Ways to prevent solar panel fires

Following best practices and working with reputable installers can help you reduce the risk of solar panel fires. Also consider the following:

• Use licensed, Clean Energy Council (CEC) accredited installers.
• Use high-quality, certified solar equipment.
• Consider systems with built-in safety features, like DC optimisers.
• Regularly maintain your solar panels and components. Although highly recommended, it's not a requirement under state and territory electrical safety laws.¹
• Install a solar isolator switch to quickly disconnect the system if needed.²

Leaving gas on when going on vacation

If you're planning on going away for an extended period of time consider turning off your gas supply safely to prevent any potential gas leaks while you're away.

Keep your home insurance up to date

All Suncorp Home Insurance policies automatically include cover for loss or damage as a result of fire and bushfire as well as storm, flood, hail and theft.* Limits, conditions and exclusions apply, so read the PDS for full details about what is and is not covered.

Suncorp Home & Contents Insurance and Landlord Insurance policies also offer cover for:

• temporary accommodation, including utility costs, for you and your pets if your home is damaged and cannot be lived in
• replacement of damaged contents ‘new for old’ if items cannot be repaired or repair costs exceed replacement costs, and
• replacement of your plants, trees and garden beds.^

Where Suncorp Insurance repairs or rebuilds the home, we guarantee the quality of workmanship of that work for the lifetime of the home if we authorise, arrange and pay the builder or repairer directly for this work. For the full details including exclusions, please read the PDS.

So check that the cover you have in place is suitable to your needs. If you have a Suncorp Insurance policy, you can update your policy details via online or the Suncorp Insurance App.

Review and update my policy

Read more:

• Does my home insurance cover fire damage?
  
• How to prepare for a bushfire from the start of building your home
  
• How to protect your home from extreme weather
  

¹ Fallon Solutions – Can solar panels cause a fire?

² Energy Matters – Rooftop solar fire incidents: lessons learned and preventive measures

*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 Suncorp Insurance. Read the Product Disclosure Statement before buying this insurance. Go to suncorp.com.au for a copy. The 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.