Insurer warns UK homeowners as house fire claims spike in hot weather

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Jeppe Gustafsson/REX/Shutterstock (14612664a) Glowing barbecue charcoal in a grill during a summer day. Barbecue charcoal, Motala, Sweden - 30 Jul 2024 — Barbecue weather can also be house fire weather (Picture: Rex)

Sunny weather so far this year has led to a spike in home insurance claims related to fire.

As the days get warmer, we’re naturally more likely to want to light up the barbecue, pizza oven or fire pit if you’re feeling fancy, or pile of old pallets if you’re not.

But while it may be lovely to have a burger in the garden, it’s not so lovely if your shed catches fire.

Data from insurance giant Aviva showed that the number of garden fires in April and May this year has already overtaken every month in 2024, even in the middle of summer.

Claims it received include sheds, fencing and decking being destroyed by garden bonfires; embers from a barbecue landing on a shed and setting its contents ablaze; and ash from a fire pit causing a garage fire.

The insurer said that the average claim involving a garden amounts to nearly £16,000.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Amer Ghazzal/Shutterstock (15299541a) Pedestrians walking in in the bright sunshine on Westminster bridge England faces a risk of drought this summer due to the driest start to spring in over six decades, prompting warnings of potential hosepipe bans. Seasonal Weather, Westminster Bridge, London, United Kingdom - 14 May 2025 — A sunny day in London last month. England faces a risk of drought this summer due to the driest start to spring in over six decades (Picture: Shutterstock)

It put the increase in claims down to the UK having its sunniest spring on record, with some 630 hours of sunshine clocked across the country between March 1 and May 27, according to provisional figures from the Met Office.

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But there has also been an increase in claims related to lightning over the past five years.

The weather phenomenon can start fires when it strikes a roof or loft space, as it can cause electrical items to break or malfunction.

Research for Aviva carried out by Censuswide in December found that among 2,000 people across the UK, one in eight (12%) people worry more about fire safety during hot weather and 13% worry more during barbecue season.

How to stay safe this summer

After seeing claims from across the country, insurance company Aviva gave these tips for avoiding having to make a claim yourself.

Garden bonfires

If possible, it is best to avoid these completely, as they can quickly get out of control, especially during dry and windy conditions.
If you do light a fire, never leave it unattended and keep water or a hose nearby.
Exercise caution with fire pits and extinguish them before you go inside.
It is also a good idea to keep an eye on fires in neighbouring gardens, in case they spread.

Barbecue with caution

Before barbecuing, check the weather forecast for any windy weather which can make barbecuing significantly more dangerous.
Gusts of wind can carry hot embers or sparks several feet away, increasing the possibility of a fire.
When barbecuing, be mindful that ash can stay hot for days, so wait until it has cooled before disposing.
Always place disposable barbecues on a non-flammable or heat resistant surface (such as stone), away from grass, fences, or sheds and leave them until they have cooled completely.

Unplug appliances once charged

Overheating lithium-ion batteries can cause fires, so always unplug chargers once tools are fully charged
Avoid charging devices overnight or leaving them unattended.

Watch windowsills

Sunlight magnified through glass objects can start fires.
Keep mirrors, bottles, and other reflective items away from direct sunlight.

Dispose of cigarettes carefully.

Cigarettes and matches can easily ignite dry grass or decking.
Always extinguish them fully and dispose of them safely.

Hannah Davidson, senior underwriting manager, commented: ‘Although warmer weather is often welcome news, we’re urging people to remain vigilant when it comes to fire safety.

‘The warm weather, paired with a lack of rain means that once started, a fire can spread very quickly – particularly as the ground is dry.

‘Popular items in gardens, such as wooden fences and sheds, can be flammable, causing flames to spread quickly. A small fire in the garden can also spread to the home, causing significant damage.

‘Whether it’s hosting friends for a barbecue, charging devices and tools outside or in the home, or even hanging a mirror outside in your garden for decoration, it’s worth paying close attention to what could become a potential fire hazard.’

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