BRS want to bring awareness on how you can play your part by protecting yourself and your home from any potential fires. And even though sometimes accidents happen, you can learn how to prevent a fire from spreading in your home. By playing a small part, you could be protecting yourself and your family from one of the worst disasters to your home.

Does home insurance cover fire damage?

Part of protecting yourself and your family against fire is to make sure you’re properly insured. Most home insurance policies generally cover fire damage as standard. But always read terms of your insurance to see how and what exactly you are covered against as fire claims may be refused if:

  • You told your insurer you do not smoke but your cigarette started the fire
  • You failed to keep fire alarms mentioned in your policy in good working order
  • You didn’t tell your insurer about renovation work done that increased the risk of a blaze
  • The damage was caused by a hot item rather than an actual fire (Irons, hair straighteners etc)

But how else can you protect your home from fire damage?

Blow out your candles!

It could be for a birthday, a relaxing night in or for a religious occasion, The UK love to use candles. Even last year in lockdown, the popularity of candles soared. However, you should never leave candles unattended and always keep them away from flammable items like blankets and curtains. Place candles in secure, tip-proof holders and extinguish them before leaving or going to sleep. If you’re afraid you’ll forget, set a timer on your stove or phone.

See how your smoke detector is doing.

35 people each year die because their smoke alarm isn’t working.

It’s important to keep testing and maintaining your alarm every month. It’s also recommended to replace your smoke detectors every 10 years, as they wear down after use.

Testing may vary from model to model, but most standard detectors have a button that you can press to test. However, if you’re ever stuck, a quick google of the model can easily tell you how to test.

Smoking ban.

If you are a smoker, it’s better to do it outside. Every 6 days someone dies in a home fire started by a cigarette. Careless disposal of cigarettes is the single biggest killer in house fires. If you do decide to take up smoking, let your insurer know because if you tell your insurer that you do not smoke but a cigarette started the fire, your claim could be rejected.

Close bedroom doors

House fires spread quickly when there are no barriers. Something as simple as closing bedroom doors at night can create passive fire protection that buys precious seconds when it counts.

Kitchens

Kitchens are also the most common spot in the house for fires to start and injuries to occur.

Always remember to&

  • Turn off unattended appliances
  • Keep hot surfaces clear from clutter
  • Pay attention where you place your dish towels
  • Do not heat your home using cooking appliances

Check for broken plugs and wires

Putting too many plugs in one socket can start a fire. You should also check to see if your plugs are too hot or leave dark marks. If you think your plug is running too hot, get an electrician to take a look for you.

Hair styling

Anyone who’s grazed an ear or neck while styling their hair knows that heat tools get hot enough to burn. Always unplug your beauty products and leave them to cool on a heat-resistant surface away from flammable objects.

What should I do if there’s a fire at my home?

Even though we kept this blog light-hearted, the topic of protecting your home from fire damage is very serious. Claims for fire damage can take a long time, so the sooner you like your home insurance provider, the better. The next step would be a loss adjuster to visit your home and assess the damage  this would include your home contents too.

If your home or property have been affected by a fire, get in touch at hello@buildingrepairsolutions.co.uk to see how we can help.