Victorians urged to complete winter home checks as fire claims rise

RACV is encouraging Victorians to complete their winter home checks, with RACV Home Insurance fire damage claims rising 20.5 per cent between April and August 2025 compared with the same period a year earlier.

RACV Home Insurance received 241 fire damage claims between April and August 2025, up from 200 in 2024 and 199 in 2023, as colder months coincided with increased demand on household systems. Cooking incidents, heaters and battery-related fires remain among the causes of fire damage claims.

RACV Emergency Home Assist data also shows a seasonal surge in heating breakdowns and faults, with 2,754 heating callouts, 2,646 hot water issues and 472 gas leaks attended between April and August 2025. Across 2023 to 2025, around three quarters of heating callouts occurred over the same period, highlighting the impact of systems being switched back on after months of inactivity.

RACV General Manager Insurance Bill Bloodworth said winter consistently drove a rise in preventable household incidents.

“Colder weather places extra demand on systems around the home, particularly when heaters are switched back on after months of little or no use,” Mr Bloodworth said.

“We saw fire damage claims increase last winter at the same time emergency callouts for heating, hot water and gas issues remained elevated.

“Having heaters professionally serviced before winter can reduce the risk of faults that may lead to a house fire, particularly for gas heaters, which can pose serious safety risks if not maintained.

“Early checks can reduce the risk of breakdowns and more serious incidents. Servicing heaters, testing smoke alarms and checking gas and hot water systems are simple steps households can take to help stay safe.

“It’s also important to ensure you have appropriate home insurance cover in place, so you’re protected if something does go wrong.”

Mr Bloodworth said gas heaters should be professionally serviced before use, and fireplaces and chimneys should be inspected and cleaned ahead of winter.

To reduce fire risk this winter, RACV recommends:

• Service heaters before use - have heaters professionally checked to reduce the risk of faults when systems are switched back on after months of inactivity
• Check smoke alarms are working properly - ensure early warning in the event of a fire
• Inspect gas appliances and hot water systems - identify faults early, particularly for gas systems which can pose serious safety risks if not maintained
• Keep flammable items away from heaters - maintain at least one metre clearance from curtains, bedding and furniture
• Never leave heaters or electric blankets unattended - reduce the risk of fires starting while in use or overnight
• Plug heaters directly into wall sockets - avoid power boards, which can overload and overheat, increasing fire risk
• Inspect and clean fireplaces and chimneys - prevent build-up and reduce fire hazards

“Simple maintenance like clearing gutters, sealing gaps and keeping systems in good working order can help reduce risk as homes come under pressure in colder weather,” Mr Bloodworth said.

“To reduce the risk from lithium-ion batteries, replace damaged chargers and avoid charging devices unattended, in direct sunlight or where they can overheat.”

For more home safety information, visit RACV Home Safety.