From the Olympus Claims Team: Fire Hazards No-One Ever Expected

Damage caused by home fires is usually covered by your homeowners insurance. However, although most fire damage claims are related to blazes that start in the kitchen (41% of home fires start as cooking fires), there are many fire hazards that most homeowners may not have ever considered.

Golf Carts Pose a Fire Hazard

For example, the Olympus Insurance Claims Team recently handled a claim for a house fire that started in the garage of a home where a golf cart had been parked after use. The golf cart caught on fire, and the blaze rapidly spread to the rest of the home, resulting in a total loss.

Golf carts have been a known home fire hazard for years, especially in Florida, where many community residents use golf carts as an alternative to cars for getting around their neighborhoods. However, charging the electric carts can lead to fires, usually from owners overfilling the battery with distilled water before plugging it in, and lack of ventilation around the vehicle. This can lead to the release and buildup of dangerous hydrogen gas, endangering homeowners and increasing the chances of a fire.

Golf cart fire risks can be lowered by following charging directions to the letter; ensuring that water is only added to the fill line in the lead battery, and ensuring that there is plenty of room around the cart and adequate ventilation.

Other Potential Fire Hazards

The Olympus Claims Team also reports that several common hazards can exist in the average home that increase the risk of fire, but most are completely preventable.

Lint in the clothes dryer vent or hose can catch fire. This specific kind of fire causes nearly $80 million in damages yearly, but the risk can be minimized by cleaning out your vent / hose frequently to prevent lint buildup.
Battery chargers left plugged in can catch on fire if they overheat or if a power surge occurs. Unplug battery chargers when not in use, and when plugged in, keep them away from flammable materials such as curtains or bedspreads.

Rechargeable batteries themselves can be a hazard. An exploding lithium battery from a vape pen caused a fire and fatality in a St. Petersburg home in early May. Smoking causes many house fires yearly, but even alternatives can be a hazard. Vape pen manufacturers claim most battery explosions are caused by improper use of the pen.
Illegally burning garbage or other items is another common cause of house fires, which can quickly get out of control and spread to nearby homes. One man was burning paperback books in March of 2017 in Nassau County. He caused a wildfire that claimed not only his home but ten others and sparked one of the worst wildfires in the state of Florida that year. (He received a forestry bill for all of the equipment and personnel used fighting the fire. Homeowners insurance did not cover this expense.)

Each year, about 1 home out of every 300 homes insured in the state of Florida will experience a fire. The average claim amount is $50,000 in damages. Having a fire safety plan can help reduce your chances of a home fire, and having a complete home inventory can assist you if you ever have to file a claim. The Olympus Claims Team is always ready to help you in time of need.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not form a part of, replace, change or amend any terms, conditions, provisions or language within your Olympus Insurance policy. We encourage you to read your entire policy.