Tasmanians are being urged to ensure the safety of their homes by getting their fuse boxes
checked by a registered electrician, or at least inspecting them for any visible damage.

RACT Insurance CEO Trent Sayers said there had been a number of claims in the last few
months concerning damaged or unchecked fuse boxes.

“Claims data has shown fuse box damage reported to RACT Insurance included melted
fragments, pieces falling apart and in some extreme cases, fire and smoke,” Mr Sayers said.

“One claim had in excess of $100,000 worth of fire damage, which originated in the fuse box
and completely destroyed the building and its contents.”

Mr Sayers said for many Tasmanians a fuse box was one of those items around the house
that went unchecked and unmaintained until something went wrong.

“Checking a fuse box can be as simple as taking a look yourself, ensuring that no
components look damaged or at risk of being faulty,” he said.

“However, if people do suspect any damage or even if they are unsure about the state of
their fuse box, we would urge them to contact a qualified electrician who can inspect it and
assess its condition.

“Much like smoke alarms, which we are advised to check regularly and change the battery at
daylight savings intervals, residents should schedule similar checks for their fuse boxes.

“Taking these types of extra precautions around the home can be the difference between
costly damage or having a safe and secure home this summer.”

Mr Sayers said data for the year had revealed that year to date there had been 99 house
fires, amounting to more than $4 million in damage costs.

“Over the winter months this year we saw a decrease in fire-related claims, with 33 lodged in
2012 worth more than $1.5 million, as opposed to just 20 for the same period this year
amounting to around $330,000,” he said.

“This illustrates that during the winter months people are starting to take more care around
the home when it comes to fire hazards, which is an encouraging sign.”

Information regarding an ‘electrical home health check’ can be found on the Aurora Energy
website, www.auroraenergy.com.au, which advises among other things that if you have
discoloured, melted or cracked fittings around your home, or if your fuses or circuit breakers
continually blow, you should have them looked at by a licensed electrical contractor.
RACT Insurance CEO Trent Sayers