Warning over air conditioners and fans

Queenslanders are being warned to check their fans and air conditioners are safe to use as the weather starts to heat up.

The RACQ said damaged, misused or improperly installed equipment were frequent sources of preventable fires and the cause of 14 per cent of home fires last year.

"Queenslanders need to be aware of the potential fire risks posed by cooling devices, particularly those that have been stored for some time and may be overdue for a safety check," Mike Sopinski from the RACQ said.