Product safety experts warn consumers to maintain proper environments around air conditioners as fire risks increase ahead of summer

Between fiscal 2021 and 2025, the National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE) reported 345 air conditioner accidents, of which 322 — over 90% — were fires. Seven people died and 33 were injured during this period.

Of the 345 accidents, 152 cases were caused by external factors such as fires spreading near indoor air conditioner units or outdoor condenser units, rather than product defects themselves.

An experiment demonstrated that stripping insulation from an air conditioner cord and connecting it with another cable can lead to fire.