Insurance claims for air fryer damage surge as warning issued to ...

Insurance claims for damages caused by air fryers have surged according to a leading insurance provider.

A new warning has been issued to air fryer users after insurers revealed a rise in serious accidents, including house fires and extensive damage.

Aviva, one of Ireland's leading home insurance providers, has noted a surge in claims related to incidents involving air fryers, with some fires resulting in tens of thousands of euros worth of damage.

The company revealed that in certain instances, these appliances had melted, collapsed and even burst into flames, igniting kitchen worktops.

The insurer also highlighted that the average claim for an air fryer fire in 2024 was £29,555 (€35,640), with the most severe incident causing a staggering €90,000 worth of damage.

This particular case involved a fire that engulfed an entire kitchen, destroying ceilings, walls, cupboards, appliances, and even a television.

In some situations, fires were ignited when air fryers were inadvertently switched on while positioned on a hob, leading to dangerous overheating, as reported by ITV.

Aviva even dealt with a case where a hungry dog accidentally activated a hob, setting the air fryer on fire.

A recent survey commissioned by Aviva discovered that 68% of people own an air fryer and nearly one in five (19%) confessed they had experienced potential fire hazards, such as smoke, overheating, or scorching.

The study also found that only 21% of users strictly adhere to the manufacturer's safety guidelines, with some confessing they often overfill their air fryer or use it in a non-ventilated area like a cupboard.

Luke Osborne, the deputy technical director at Electrical Safety First, issued a warning that while air fryers have become a common kitchen appliance, they can pose a risk if not used properly.

He said: "Always register the product to make sure you are contactable in the event a fault is detected by the manufacturer.

"Never overfill your air fryer and never plug the appliance into an extension lead to avoid potential overheating."

Osborne also stressed the importance of keeping power cords away from hot surfaces to avoid damage leading to fire risks and to always stick to the manufacturer's guidelines on cleaning to prevent grease fires during cooking.

The experts at Electrical Safety First shared extra guidance for air fryer owners, advising them to never leave the device unsupervised while switched on and ensuring it's perched on a steady, heat-resistant surface in a space that has plenty of air ventilation.

They've also flagged up the dangers of drowning chips in too much oil, as it can cause a smokescreen and fire hazards to spike up.

Insurers added a few nuggets of advice too including regularly giving your air fryer cord and plug the once-over for any wear and tears, keeping the gadget out of harm's way from water to avoid electrical shocks.

Should flames flare up, do not try to put it out with water; instead, reach for the right safety kit or call the fire brigade.

And don't forget, to check your home insurance policies, as fires caused by electrical appliances can lead to significant financial losses if not properly covered.

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