Home insurance: Fires.

We are all aware that house fires can be not only extremely dangerous but can also cause a lot of damage to our property and possessions. You need home insurance to cover the cost of repairing or reconstructing your house if it is destroyed or damaged by a fire, but of course the worst effects of fire could be injuries or even deaths. Even if nobody is hurt, house fires can cause a lot of damage very quickly, and losing irreplaceable items like family photographs can be very upsetting.

Insurers are naturally keen to help customers to reduce the risk of house fires, not only because of the high costs to them if a customer needs to claim, but also because of the high risks of death or serious injury from even fairly small house fires.

Do ensure that smoke alarms are fitted and regularly tested. Make sure that windows that have bars can still be opened from the inside so that family members can escape in an emergency. Discuss escape plans with the family so that if a fire should occur, everyone knows what to do even if they are alone.

Look for furnishings and fabrics that are fire retardant. In the UK, house fires are often started by candles, so be very careful about where they are positioned and never leave a candle burning unattended.

Do not place furniture or fabrics within three feet of a heater, and make sure all heaters and open fires are inaccessible to children and pets. Dont leave appliances on standby, and dont overload plugs and sockets. Check for frayed cables and repair any faults.

In the kitchen, keep grill pans and ovens clean to prevent fat from building up, and if a chip pan should catch fire never throw water over it. Smother small kitchen fires with a fire blanket or wet tea towel, but call the fire brigade for any large fires.

If you follow these simple steps then the chances that you will need to call your insurer will be greatly reduced. However, do not be tempted to skimp on home insurance, because the difference in cover can be great for even a small increase in premium. Weigh up the likelihood of a fire against the impact it would have on you and your family before you choose the right level of cover for you.

Find out how you could save on your household, building and contents insurance cover with Kwik Fit's home insurance.