Following the UK’s sunniest spring with unprecedented hours of sunshine, Aviva reports a sharp rise in costly garden fire claims and urges households to adopt stricter fire safety measures amid growing risks linked to outdoor activities and prolonged dry conditions.
Households across the UK are facing a heightened risk of fire as the country basks in its sunniest spring on record. With the emerging data indicating a marked increase in garden fire claims, insurance company Aviva has issued a warning for residents to exercise caution during the warmer months. The average fire claim involving a garden has spiked to nearly £16,000, reflecting a growing frequency in incidents related to garden activities.
Between March 1 and May 27, the UK experienced an unprecedented 630 hours of sunshine, surpassing the previous record of 626 hours set in 2020. This surge in sunlight has not only encouraged outdoor activities, such as barbecuing and bonfires, but also contributed to a concerning rise in claims related to fires ignited in gardens. Aviva’s data suggests that these activities, alongside an increase in lightning incidents—which have risen over the past five years—are significant factors underlying the dramatic uptick in fire-related claims.
Research conducted by Aviva reveals that 12% of the surveyed population expressed heightened concerns about fire safety in hot weather, while 13% reported increased anxiety during barbecue season. This anxiety is not unfounded; examples of claims include damage to wooden structures from garden bonfires and barbecues, highlighting the potential risks associated with common summer pastimes. Hannah Davidson, senior underwriting manager at Aviva, cautioned that “the warm weather, paired with a lack of rain means that once started, a fire can spread very quickly,” a sentiment that mirrors the concerns echoed by fire safety experts.
The climatic conditions have also been noteworthy, with the UK not only experiencing its sunniest spring but also marking record levels of sunshine in March and April. March was particularly notable, featuring 185.8 hours of sunshine—the driest since records began—while April followed suit with 228.9 hours. This extended period of dry weather, combined with elevated temperatures averaging 9.6°C above the long-term average, has increased the risk of fires igniting and spreading quickly, especially in dry and windy conditions.
In light of these risks, Aviva has shared several safety tips for homeowners. Among the recommendations is the avoidance of garden bonfires and careful monitoring of barbecues, given that embers can travel significant distances in windy conditions. Moreover, they advise homeowners to unplug chargers when devices are fully charged, carefully manage reflective objects on windowsills, and ensure that smoking materials are fully extinguished before disposal.
As the warmer weather continues to entice more individuals outdoors, the combination of increased activity and climatic conditions raises considerable concerns for fire safety. It is imperative that households remain vigilant, implement safety measures, and enjoy the summer months responsibly, lest they fall victim to potentially devastating fires.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.irishnews.com/news/uk/fire-risk-warning-to-households-after-uk-basks-in-sunny-spring-QODR7HD2DZLQ3LHQ3G3NZI3QMY/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/news-and-media/media-centre/weather-and-climate-news/2025/provisional-april-statistics – In April 2025, the UK experienced its sunniest April on record, with 228.9 hours of sunshine, surpassing the previous record of 171.7 hours set in 1929. This was 47% more sunshine than the long-term average. England recorded its sunniest April, while Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland each had their second sunniest. The average temperature was 9.6°C, 1.7°C above the long-term average, making it the third warmest April since records began in 1884. The Midlands, East Anglia, and parts of Scotland were particularly sunny during this period.
- https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/news-and-media/media-centre/weather-and-climate-news/2025/a-record-breaking-march-for-sunshine – March 2025 was the sunniest March on record for England, with 185.8 hours of sunshine, 59% more than the long-term average. This surpassed the previous record of 171.7 hours set in 1929. The UK recorded its third sunniest March, and Wales its second. The southeast, including the Midlands and East Anglia, experienced particularly sunny conditions. The warm, dry, and sunny weather was attributed to persistent high pressure and a lack of fronts arriving from the west.
- https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/news-and-media/media-centre/weather-and-climate-news/2025/provisional-april-statistics – April 2025 was the sunniest April on record for the UK, with 228.9 hours of sunshine, surpassing the previous record of 171.7 hours set in 1929. This was 47% more sunshine than the long-term average. England recorded its sunniest April, while Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland each had their second sunniest. The average temperature was 9.6°C, 1.7°C above the long-term average, making it the third warmest April since records began in 1884. The Midlands, East Anglia, and parts of Scotland were particularly sunny during this period.
- https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/news-and-media/media-centre/weather-and-climate-news/2025/a-record-breaking-march-for-sunshine – March 2025 was the sunniest March on record for England, with 185.8 hours of sunshine, 59% more than the long-term average. This surpassed the previous record of 171.7 hours set in 1929. The UK recorded its third sunniest March, and Wales its second. The southeast, including the Midlands and East Anglia, experienced particularly sunny conditions. The warm, dry, and sunny weather was attributed to persistent high pressure and a lack of fronts arriving from the west.
- https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/news-and-media/media-centre/weather-and-climate-news/2025/provisional-april-statistics – April 2025 was the sunniest April on record for the UK, with 228.9 hours of sunshine, surpassing the previous record of 171.7 hours set in 1929. This was 47% more sunshine than the long-term average. England recorded its sunniest April, while Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland each had their second sunniest. The average temperature was 9.6°C, 1.7°C above the long-term average, making it the third warmest April since records began in 1884. The Midlands, East Anglia, and parts of Scotland were particularly sunny during this period.
- https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/news-and-media/media-centre/weather-and-climate-news/2025/a-record-breaking-march-for-sunshine – March 2025 was the sunniest March on record for England, with 185.8 hours of sunshine, 59% more than the long-term average. This surpassed the previous record of 171.7 hours set in 1929. The UK recorded its third sunniest March, and Wales its second. The southeast, including the Midlands and East Anglia, experienced particularly sunny conditions. The warm, dry, and sunny weather was attributed to persistent high pressure and a lack of fronts arriving from the west.
