Sharp rise in winter fires sparks urgent safety measures

While unattended cooking equipment and faulty electric wiring are the leading causes of house fires overall, heating equipment becomes the primary culprit during the colder months of May, June, and July.

“We’re only halfway through winter and already, fire-related incidents at homes and businesses have increased by 20%,” 

- Alex Terblanché, CEO of Auto&General Insurance

“Year after year, we watch this trend repeat itself – temperatures plummet, fire incidents spike, lives are disrupted and properties are lost. It’s no longer enough to acknowledge the problem - we have to act. It’s time to shift from reaction to prevention, because doing nothing should never be acceptable when lives and livelihoods are at stake.”

- Alex Terblanché, CEO of Auto&General Insurance

To assist its customers, Auto&General Insurance has integrated a tried and tested three-tiered firefighting approach into its insurance policies.

The system, powered by Fidelity SecureFire, includes incipient fire containment, rapid intervention for medium-sized fires, and specialised units for large-scale emergencies.

“This isn’t just a seasonal response - it’s a year-round commitment to changing the fire safety landscape for good.”

- Alex Terblanché, CEO of Auto&General Insurance   

It’s also a first for the insurance industry. While value-added services for roadside and home emergencies are the norm, having access to an in-app private fire response unit is a unique feature.

Fidelity SecureFire was launched in 2023 as a monthly subscription service.  It’s available nationally and operates in full compliance with international firefighting standards.  

At the heart of Fidelity SecureFire’s capability is the Fidelity Fire National Command Centre - a groundbreaking, real-time operations hub that sets a new industry standard. Powered by AI-driven risk analysis, predictive incident modelling, and live data monitoring, the centre facilitates intelligent resource deployment, predicting fire threats before they escalate.

“We don’t just respond - we predict, prevent, and optimise.”

- Wahl Bartmann, CEO of Fidelity Services Group

“Our systems track fire trends, weather patterns, infrastructure risks and local response metrics to ensure maximum efficiency and agility during emergencies.”

- Wahl Bartmann, CEO of Fidelity Services Group

Bartmann emphasises that Fidelity SecureFire and Auto&General’s Fire Assist benefit are not a replacement for municipal fire departments; instead, they serve as a complementary layer and function similarly to private security firms. 

Having access to a private firefighting unit provides a valuable safety net, but the truth remains: prevention is always better than cure. Auto&General shares some key fire prevention tips to keep you, your family, and your property safe this winter.

• Service all heating equipment - Fire safety starts long before the first spark, so have your heaters, fireplaces and flues inspected and maintained regularly. Make sure that all heating appliances and devices are SABS approved and, where applicable, installed by a certified service provider.
  
  
• Use heating equipment responsibly: It’s essential to operate heating devices within their manufacturers’ limits. Setting a device to maximum for long periods, not placing it on a level surface, or moving it while in use could pose a serious risk. Additionally, never leave heaters, electrical blankets, candles, or stoves unattended. Exercise extra caution before going to bed to ensure all heat sources are turned off.
  
  
• Keep flammable materials away - Make sure curtains, blankets, and furniture are well clear of heat sources.
  
  
• Never leave cooking unattended.
  
  
• Store lithium batteries safely - Charge devices on non-flammable surfaces and avoid overcharging or using damaged batteries.
  
  
• Plan and practice an escape route – Seconds count in a fire; everyone should know what to do and where to go. Keep all emergency contact details within easy reach so that you can quickly contact emergency response teams.

“Our goal is to ensure that our customers never have to experience the financial and emotional devastation of fire-related incidents, but if they do, we’ll prove, as we have done for the past 40 years, that we are Never Not There,” says Terblanché.