Did you know that Christmas-related items cause almost one in nine of the fires?
Stay ‘fire alert’ this festive period, by following some Christmas fire safety tips from Kent-based property loss assessor, Property Claim Assist.
Using its experience of typical Christmas and New Year fire damage, acquired through delivering typically a free service that swiftly gets a property owner fully back to their pre-loss situation. The insurance negotiation expert has identified 10 Christmas fire safety areas to be aware of.
Christmas Fire Safety Advice
1. Cigarettes
Top of the list come cigarettes. If there are smokers in the house, make sure no cigarettes or stubs are left unattended and burning in ashtrays or on chair arms and that ashtrays are stable and cannot be knocked over. Never allow someone to fall asleep whilst smoking and avoid smoking when you have consumed a lot of alcohol, especially if alone at home.
2. E-Cigarettes
Secondly, watch out for e-cigarettes being charged by a non-compatible charger. Only use the one which came with the device. Similarly, don’t allow the batteries to come into contact with coins or other metal items – they could explode.
3. Electrical Sockets
The third area about which to be vigilant is an electrical one. Do not overload electrical sockets or link extension cables together, no matter how many gadgets Santa brought. A load of no more than 3000W should be borne by any socket.
4. Candles
Area four relates to candles. Property Claim Assist has a full article about this at its website but urges homeowners to never leave a candle burning unattended and to always make sure it is stable, on a heat resistant surface, away from flammable materials and out of a draught.
5. Turkey and Chips
Next, if you love your turkey leftovers with chips, be very careful not to leave your chip pan on the heat. Chip pans cause 12,000 fires a year, either because oil overheats or spills on to the cooker or because wet chips are placed in the oil, causing it all to rise over the pan top.
6. Faulty Wiring
Faulty wiring could also catch you out, so listen for buzzing, look for charring, react if there is an electric shock and pick up on any smell of burning. All should prompt the action of getting your wiring checked.
7. Fairy Lights
Switch off fairy lights when leaving the house or going to bed, don’t hang them on real trees or close to flammable materials and create enough space around them, to cope with their heat.
8. Stockings
Don’t be tempted to hang stockings or decorations above an open fire, as these can easily ignite. Always use a fireguard, to prevent lit logs and coals falling out of the fire.
9. Chimney
If you do light a real fire, remember the need for chimney health. Santa needs quick, blockage-free access, but you should also remove any highly flammable creosote deposits. Get a chimney sweep in, or buy and burn a chimney sweeping log.
10. Arson
Finally, beware the crime of arson. Stay vigilant, note unusual behaviour and, if you have a business premises, remove any rubbish and other materials from outside that could be lit. Try to increase your security, perhaps by installing cameras.
In general, also make sure your home has fire alarms installed and that you test the batteries in these regularly.
What are the Experts Saying?
“Fire devastates lives, homes and livelihoods,” says Property Claim Assist’s Simon Colburn. “We like to prevent people from going through that, but are also here for those that do suffer a fire, helping them to rebuild their home by getting all that their insurance policy should provide.”
“If festive fires occur, we are contactable and here to help, as every property owner should go into a property claim negotiation on a level ‘knowledge’ playing field, when lining up against the insurer and their loss adjuster. When our service can come for free, there’s no sense in being a solo player,” adds fellow director, Gary Rogers.
How Property Claim Assist Can Help
If you find yourself needing help with any type of property insurance claim, domestic or commercial, this festive season, contact Property Claim Assist on 0333 577 2720.
