As your insurer, we’re here to help you get back on your feet after a covered loss. But we’re also here to offer the knowhow that can reduce risks around your home and help prevent losses from even happening.
That’s what we’re aiming to do in this issue of Eriesense,® which highlights a common, but little-known, danger around our homes: batteries—specifically lithium-ion batteries.
These batteries are now in everything from phones and laptops to power tools and drones. Personal technology has become so common that few of us think about the power sources needed to run them as a potential danger.
But, as you’ll read about, fire incidents due to lithium-ion batteries have increased more than 300% over the past five years. You’ll also read about Mary Lou and Wayne, ERIE Policyholders who learned about the risks they pose after it was too late, when they lost their home to a fire caused by faulty batteries.
Just like we take safeguards when using an oven, a space heater or an outdoor grill, we can take steps to reduce the risk of fire when bringing them into our homes. (And, as you will read, not all batteries are created equal.)
So, please, learn about the precautions you can take to protect yourself, your family and your home. Not all incidents are within our control, but many can be prevented or mitigated with a little extra care and attention.
As always, thanks for putting your trust in us to help you stay safe and protected—whenever you need us.
Tim NeCastro
President & CEO
