Property Claim Assist sees first-hand the loss and devastation fire damage brings. That’s why we are urging Kent homeowners and businesses to exercise caution over electrical and gadget purchases this festive season.
Our services help those with fire-damaged properties obtain their rightful settlement via their buildings and contents insurance policies. We believe there is not enough awareness of the dangers electrical appliances can pose when it comes to fires.
The expert loss assessor also says that online shopping has opened up the British consumer to new risks. This is posed by those selling fake merchandise over the Internet. Many items on sale in the UK, worryingly, do not meet UK safety standards and can easily overheat and catch fire. This can lead to extensive financial losses within a home or commercial premises.
Why is knowing the Fire Risks so Important?
Online shopping has become a preference for many. It allows the at-risk and elderly to avoid the Covid-19 risk of shopping in-person. It is also more convenient than trips to stores and high streets, for many others.
However, unless bought via a reputable source or high street name, electrical appliances and gadgets can have been cheaply produced overseas and lack the safety components required for electrical safety. They may also be incompatible with the UK electricity supply system. If these products overheat, they can easily cause a fire.
Advice For Property Owners
Property Claim Assist urges everyone to watch festive overload. Many homes were wired and fitted with plug sockets in an age that was gadget-free. They now lack the number of sockets that homeowners need. This includes for smartphones, tablets, video games consoles, numerous kitchen appliances and other devices. The lack of sockets results in the use of adapters and multi-socket extension leads.
Overloading of electrical sockets can be another big fire risk. Domestic and commercial property owners should make sure they are not asking too much of their electrical system. Leads and adaptors can only handle so much electrical workload and should be monitored carefully. Regular checks should ensure not too much is plugged in at once.
Appliances not required overnight should be switched off and unplugged. This covers most things other than fridges and freezers. All cables and wiring should be regularly checked to reduce fire risks.
Topically, Property Claim Assist urges special caution right now. We remind homeowners to turn fairy-lights off overnight and unplug them. You should also make sure these lights conform to British Safety Standards, by spotting the symbol that signifies conformity.
Its final piece of simple advice is for those buying electrical appliances to officially register their purchase with the manufacturer and not let Black Friday purchase overload prevent that from happening. Should there be a fault with the appliance, which could lead to a fire risk, this simple action will allow the purchaser to be notified of any appliance recalls.
How Property Claim Assist Can Help
“Don’t play games with electrical appliance safety after a Black Friday and Christmas splurge”, says Gary Rogers, a director of Property Claim Assist. “Faulty appliances and leads account for 15% of dwelling fires – far more than the chip pan that we all associate with home fires.”
“In England alone in 2020-21, there were 3665 fires caused by faulty appliances and leads,” adds fellow director, Simon Colburn. A third of accidental fires in domestic properties were also caused by misuse of equipment and appliances, so make sure you understand how to use electrical equipment safely and how to spot signs of potential trouble.”
Anyone who suffers property damage from an electrical fire is likely to have a complex and difficult-to-negotiate insurance claim on their hands. To access Property Claim Assist’s help with this, at no charge, with full representation throughout your claim and expert insurance settlement negotiation, call 0333 577 2720.
