Garages and sleepouts are fire risks
One in seven house fires starts in the garage, creating growing concern in Auckland where many are being converted into extra rooms and sleepouts.
In the past year, around 15 per cent of major fire claims handled by AA Insurance started in garages.
Some spread to the family home and resulted in the total loss of house and belongings, said AA Insurance’s Amelia Macandrew.
‘‘Knowing that some New Zealanders are converting garages into additional rooms to their homes, we strongly recommend they check the electrics are up to scratch, and don’t overload power sockets or multi-boards.
‘‘Garages, as well as sheds, tend to have fewer power sockets available than in the main house, so it’s really important to use them appropriately, and ensure they aren’t covered to prevent overheating.’’
The majority of house fires started in the kitchen. Garage fires were less likely to be detected as quickly because they were not as well used, and are sometimes not connected to the main dwelling, Macandrew said.
Many garages also do not have smoke or heat alarms in them.
‘‘Many kitchen fires are discovered before they spread to the rest of the house when a person remembers they’ve left something on the stove.
‘‘Conversely, people come and go from their garage, so may not be aware of a fire until it’s too late.’’
She gave the example of one AA Insurance customer who woke to discover his standalone garage ablaze, after forgetting to disconnect an extension cord from a power socket and hot plate used to smoke fish earlier in the day.
‘‘It had arced and caused a fire that quickly spread from the garage to the roof of the house, razing it to the ground.
Thankfully the customer and his family had evacuated their home, and were covered by their full replacement policy for $665,000, including temporary accommodation,’’ Macandrew said.
Most Kiwis used their garages as some form of storage, so have a lot of flammable items sitting around, she said.
Garages tended to be where washers, dryers and other appliances are housed, which were often left on unattended.
AA Insurance garage fire safety tips include: * Turning appliances off at the main and unplug them. * Don’t overload plugs or multi-boards, and don’t cover them. * Have an electrician check your wiring, particularly if it’s old, and add additional power outlets if you need them. * Declutter your garage or storage shed, remove excess items that burn easily like old clothes, books and paint, and this will give you quicker outdoor access if you need to get out in a hurry. * Install heat or smoke alarms. * Keep a fire extinguisher in the garage.