Stay warm but safe this holiday season

Perhaps you live in a house without central heating and depend on devices such as oil filled radiators and fan heaters to keep your bedroom warm. Perhaps you are lucky enough to have a working fireplace in your bedroom and occasionally treat yourself to a snuggle under the duvet, with a log fire crackling in the hearth. Then again, maybe you just feel the cold, and can’t get into bed until your electric blanket has warmed it up nicely.

Whatever your circumstances this winter, Abbey Insurance are warning us that nearly half of all adults in the UK, will be putting themselves and their homes at risk from accidental fires. Government research shows that heaters, used by over 8 million people in the UK alone, are responsible for 16,00 fires a year.

The average cost of repairing the damage caused by an electric heater is £416, whilst oil radiators are responsible for damage averaging a staggering £809. It is important, therefore, to ensure that you are properly insured for accidental fire damage.

The following tips can help you minimise the risk of falling victim to this type of accident and reduce the likelihood that you will have to make a home insurance claim:

• Do not leave fan heaters unattended or fall asleep whilst they are on.

• Use a time switch to make sure that free standing radiators are not left on too long.

• Be extra careful when using a heating device for the first time each year.

• Read the instruction manual carefully to make sure you know how to use the device safely.

• If in doubt get a professional to check your heating devices.

• Do not position your fan heater near your bedding.

• Use a fire guard in front of any open fires to avoid sparks.

Electric blankets are generally the worst culprits and cause an estimated 5000 fires a year. The cost of repairing the damage caused, may be less at £327, but why put your life at risk? 99% of these fires are caused by blankets over ten years old, so the number one tip would seem to be to replace them at regular intervals. The over 65s are at the greatest risk, with six times the number of fatalities and twice the number of non-fatal injuries.

The following tips may help reduce the risk of electric blanket-related accidents and fires:

• Make sure your blanket is tested every three years – this is often done free of charge by your local trading standards office.

• Read the instructions carefully so that you know exactly how the blanket can be used safely.

• Do not use an under blanket as an over blanket or vice versa.

• If your blanket gets wet, do not use it and never switch it on to dry it.

• Keep your blanket flat on the bed and do not allow it to become creased.

• Switch off your blanket and disconnect it before getting into bed unless it is one which can be left on all night.

• Check that there are no scorch marks, frays in the fabric or exposed elements.

• Never buy a second hand blanket.

• Store the blanket rolled up rather than folded.

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