Cooler weather sparks home fire safety warning

With the chilly winter weather well and truly settling in across the state, Tasmanians are
reminded of the risks of house fires and the need to be vigilant when heating their homes
during the colder months.

RACT Insurance CEO Trent Sayers said that 40 per cent of RACT Insurance house fire
claims, not related to bushfire events, are made between the months of July and September
across the state.

“Luckily many of our winter house fires are caught early, resulting in only minor damage, but
sadly some of our winter fire claims do end with a house being burnt to the ground leaving a
family with nothing.

“Insurance claims data from the last two years revealed that TV units left on standby were
among the highest causes of total loss house fires.

“Other common causes of house fires resulting in claims over the last two years include
wood heater ash not being disposed of properly, power board malfunctions, and ground
heaters left on carpets in unattended rooms.

“Small things such as leaving electric blankets on, unattended candles, damaged electrical
cords or forgetting about food left in the oven or on the stove top can cost you everything,
and three minutes is all it takes for a house fire to take hold.

“The Tasmania Fire Service responds to over 400 house fires each year. This number is
quite concerning given the size of our community.”

Mr Sayers said while keeping your family warm is certainly a priority, personal safety and the
safety of your family should always be the number one consideration when it comes to home
heating.

“The first priority should always be safely evacuating your family from the home, and
knowing when to get out yourself,” he said.

“If you cannot quickly contain a fire, get out and leave it to the trained experts – risking your
own and your family’s lives to save your home really isn’t worth it.”

RACT Insurance is urging Tasmanians to be fire safe this winter and to visit
www.fire.tas.gov.au or free call 1800 000 699 for additional information about fire safety in
the home.
RACT Insurance CEO Trent Sayers