A sharp rise in house fires caused by air fryers has sparked warnings for private landlords and tenants across the UK.

Air fryers can pose significant risks when misused, claims the Landlord Licensing & Defence organisation, which cites insurer Aviva as saying in one case a client claimed for £80,000 worth of damage to a kitchen. The average claim for air fryer damage for 2024 sits at £29,555.

Home Office figures reveal a 57% increase in air fryer-related house fires in England, with 146 reported in the 12 months to March 2024, up from 93 the previous year.

Phil Turtle, a fire safety expert at Landlord Licensing & Defence, warns: “Air fryers are potential fire-starters if not handled with care. They exhaust a lot of heat often from behind which can catch anything inflammable nearby on fire.”

He says mistakes, such as leaving air fryers unattended or using excessive oil, have led to consequences worsened if there is improper ventilation and the service is on unstable surfaces.

Turtle continues: “Not considering basic safety measures – like checking if the surroundings are getting hot, checking that oil is not dripping into the mechanism, is putting lives and livelihoods at risk.

“Landlords have a legal duty to ensure their properties are safe, and to educate their tenants as to the risk. Tenants must then take responsibility for using appliances correctly.

“Don’t let convenience turn into catastrophe – take these warnings seriously, or you could lose everything.”

Hannah Davidson, a senior underwriting manager at Aviva, adds: “With the increasing popularity of air fryers, it’s crucial that users are aware of the associated fire risks.

“Aviva’s survey shows that nearly one five UK residents have encountered fire-related issues with air fryers, from smoking and overheating to explosions and fires.”