Lähitapiola Pirkanmaa Warns of Power-Tool Battery Fire Risk After Strong Start to 2026

Lähitapiola Pirkanmaa began 2026 strongly, with premium income rising to €50.0 million and the company paying €26.7 million in claims during the early part of the year, Tamperelainen reports. Its solvency ratio improved to 256 percent from 235 percent a year earlier, and the fallout from storm Hannes continued to affect claims into spring as forestry damage emerged later, claims director Antti Määttänen said.

Winter was generally mild, keeping serious slip-and-fall injuries low. Windscreen damage climbed, however, as studs and loose stones struck glass.

Määttänen warned of a cluster of fires caused by rechargeable power-tool batteries this year. Several incidents have destroyed buildings, including a cottage and sauna. He urged people not to leave batteries charging unattended, to charge them during the day on a non-flammable surface with a working smoke alarm, and to remove and recycle batteries that behave abnormally. He also suggested that separate outbuildings or dedicated consumer charging cabinets could reduce risks at cottages.

The warning follows other cottage fires this summer, including a mosquito coil that ignited a terrace at a Parkano cottage, which prompted the company to issue safety advice.