| We are all aware that house fires can be not only | | | | placed and never leave a candle burning |
| extremely dangerous but can also cause a lot of | | | | unattended. |
| damage to our property and possessions. You | | | | Keep all furniture and fabrics at least three feet |
| need home insurance to cover the cost of | | | | away from any heaters, and take care to ensure |
| repairing or reconstructing your house if it is | | | | that children and pets cannot get close to any |
| destroyed or damaged by a fire, but of course | | | | heaters or open fires. Don't leave electrical |
| the worst effects of fire could be injuries or even | | | | appliances on standby, and don't overload sockets |
| deaths. Even if nobody is hurt, house fires can | | | | and multi-plugs. Check cables regularly and repair |
| cause a lot of damage very quickly, and losing | | | | any faults, and don't use any appliances if the |
| irreplaceable items like family photographs can be | | | | cable appears to be worn or the wires are |
| very upsetting. | | | | exposed. |
| Insurance companies are unsurprisingly very keen | | | | In the kitchen, prevent fat from building up in grill |
| to help customers to minimise the risk of house | | | | pans and in the oven by keeping them clean, and |
| fires, not only because of the costs if a customer | | | | never throw water over a chip pan fire as this will |
| makes a claim, but also because of the high risks | | | | cause the fire to spread. You can tackle small |
| of death or serious injury from even relatively | | | | kitchen fires with a fire blanket or wet tea towel, |
| small house fires. | | | | but for a fire any larger than a wastepaper |
| Make sure that smoke alarms are installed and | | | | basket or if there is any risk of it spreading, |
| are regularly checked. Fire alarms should be | | | | evacuate the building and call the fire brigade |
| replaced at least every ten years. Ensure that | | | | immediately. |
| any windows that have bars can be opened from | | | | If you follow these simple steps then the chances |
| the inside to allow family members to escape in | | | | that you will need to call your insurer will be |
| an emergency. Talk about escape plans with the | | | | greatly reduced. However, do not be tempted to |
| household so that if a fire should break out, | | | | skimp on home insurance, because the difference |
| everyone knows what to do even if they are on | | | | in cover can be great for even a small increase in |
| their own. | | | | premium. Weigh up the likelihood of a fire against |
| All furnishings and fabrics should be fire retardant. | | | | the impact it would have on you and your family |
| House fires in the UK are commonly started by | | | | before you choose the right level of cover for |
| candles, so be very careful about where they are | | | | you. |
