Winter has arrived and people Australia-wide are looking to keep warm as they plug in or fire up their heaters and take their electric blankets out of storage. These simple measures to keep out the cold can unwittingly start a fire, and authorities encourage residents to be vigilant and take precautions.
Figures from insurer Allianz show that most fire claims are from those that start in the home, and not from outside bushfires. Another insurer, Suncorp, said home claims from 2011 to 2016 show that fire claims across the country spike during the winter.
Below are key considerations to minimise the risk of house fires and what to do in one.
