Kiwis not so hot on fire safety

Kiwis not so hot on fire safety

While most Kiwis have smoke alarms, fewer than half regularly check them says AA Insurance

Auckland – July 10 2013 – While most Kiwis have smoke alarms, fewer than half regularly check them to make sure they’re working, says a new home safety survey by AA Insurance. The survey, which polled 1,500 regular Kiwi homeowners and renters aged 18 years and over, found that despite 91% of us having smoke alarms in our homes, only 44% check them regularly, while 49% only check them when they beep. Six percent of us don’t check them at all.

“When you consider that in 80% of the fatal fires the New Zealand Fire Service attends, smoke alarms are either not installed or not working, these survey results provide a wake-up call,” said Suzanne Wolton, Head of Customer Relations, AA Insurance.

“This is especially important when survey results show that 15% of New Zealanders have had some form of house fire, with the majority starting in the kitchen (48%), and North Islanders reporting twice as many kitchen fires as South Islanders (52% vs 26%),” Suzanne added.

So far this year, AA Insurance has received claims totalling over $2 million for home fires, with around a quarter of those due to kitchen fires. The average claim for these house fires is around $56,000 and that’s for the home itself - it doesn’t include the damage caused to household belongings.

In one claim example from AA Insurance, a smoke alarm helped save a customer’s home from serious damage. After putting a pan on the stove she left the room for a few minutes. After hearing the alarm she rushed back to find the pan on fire, but was able to put a lid on it and extinguish the flames. As a result, damage was kept to the kitchen, totalling around $2,270.

While kitchens rate as the leading fire hot spot in the home, other main causes are electrical (18%), heaters and open fires (6%), and ashes from open fires (5%). Other fire risks, such as the unsafe use of electric multi-boards and extension cords, can also cause severe damage or even fatalities.

One lucky customer was awoken by their smoke alarms after a significant fire was caused by an overloaded electrical multi-board. A six plug multi-board, plugged into an extension cord, plugged into another six plug multi-board with numerous appliances plugged into each caused it to overheat and start the fire. However, despite the fire service extinguishing the fire it later reignited causing the roof to explode and spread asbestos fibre around the property and neighbouring property. An accredited asbestos disposal company was required for demolition of the home. The total loss claim cost AA Insurance $264,210.

The unsafe disposal of ashes is also a common cause of fire-related claims at this time of year, and one that can easily be avoided by putting ashes into a metal bucket instead of a plastic one, and ensuring the metal bucket is only ever left on a heat-proof surface such as concrete or stone. The Fire Service also recommends dousing hot ashes and embers in water before disposing of them.

In another AA Insurance claim, a house fire was caused by ashes left in a bucket outside on a timber deck. As a result the house was completely destroyed by fire, with a total loss claim of over $620,000 paid by AA Insurance for both the home and the contents.

“Most house fires are avoidable,” said Suzanne. “Being aware of possible safety risks will ensure that you and your home are protected. Installing smoke alarms and, most importantly, regularly checking batteries are a good start to keeping people and homes safe.”

Household Fire Safety Tips:

If you haven't got smoke alarms, buy and install them immediately. Also test them regularly to ensure they operate effectively.
Get a fire extinguisher and learn how to use it. Already have one? Check it each year to see that it’s in good working order
Don't overload multi-boards and always untangle appliance cords to make sure there's no fraying
Keep looking when you're cooking – a frying pan of oil can ignite in under 60 seconds
Turn off all non-essential electrical appliances at the wall before you go to bed or work

...and in winter:

Always turn off your electric blanket before getting into bed
Remember the heater-metre rule. Keep furniture, clothing, curtains and toys a metre away from heaters and fireplaces
Have your chimney swept regularly and use a steel bin for disposing of the ashes

ENDS
About AA Insurance
AA Insurance was launched in 1994 and is a joint venture between New Zealand Automobile Association and Suncorp.

AA Insurance employs around 580 staff servicing more than 280,000 customers and manages over 500,000 policies covering motor, home and contents insurance.

AA Insurance was named as New Zealand’s best workplace at the 2011 JRA Best Workplaces Survey, winning the overall award and the large company category. From 2008 to 2012 AA Insurance has consistently been a finalist.

AA Insurance was named winner of the 2013 Canstar Blue Most Satisfied Customers for Home and Contents Insurance, and the 2012 New Zealand Insurance Industry Awards for Direct Insurance Company of the Year. It was also voted Most Trusted Insurer by New Zealanders in the Insurance Providers category of the 2012 Reader’s Digest Most Trusted Brands survey, conducted by Catalyst Research.

AA Insurance Limited has an A+ (Strong) Insurer Financial Strength Rating given by Standard and Poor’s (Australia) Pty Ltd. For further information visit www.aainsurance.co.nz.

AA Insurance is proud to support youth charity Blue Light as its principle corporate sponsor.
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