Fire Damage hints and tips

It's important to ensure your home is safe guarded from the risk of fire, and there are various steps you can take to reduce the chances of a fire starting or spreading.

We've put together the following useful information to help you protect your home against fire:

Buy a household A-B-C-type fire extinguisher or fire blanket to deal with minor fires. However, if a fire is serious do not attempt to tackle it and call the Fire Brigade on 999.
Consider having your soft furnishings and carpets sprayed with retardants to prevent them burning in a fire.
Make sure your family are aware of a safety escape route should a fire occur.
Check window locks, bars and grills can be disabled from the inside in case you need to use a window as an escape route.

Make sure you have smoke alarms fitted throughout your home; they will help warn you of a fire and give you a good chance to evacuate the property.
The best place to install them is outside bedrooms, on the ceiling or high on a wall.
Test alarms regularly to ensure they are working correctly and replace the batteries every year. You should replace smoke alarms every 10 years.

Electrical faults can cause fire, so it's important to maintain all wiring within your home.
Repair frayed and exposed wires and loose plugs.
Don't overload plugs or extension sockets and consider using circuit breakers.
Check insulation doesn't touch bare wiring.
Make sure all electrical faults are reviewed by a professional.
Don't leave appliances on standby when you're not using them.

Don't position heaters within 3 feet of flammable materials.
Make sure open flames are kept well away from all flammable items and furnishings.
Use a fire screen to protect children and animals from open fires.
Never leave candles burning unattended and do not burn them near anything flammable.
Don't leave pans unattended and take care when frying. Never throw water over a chip pan.
Keep grills and ovens clean to prevent fat catching fire.

If you do have a fire in your home, follow the steps below to minimize damage and get restoration underway.

Open windows for ventilation.
Remove pets (especially birds) to a clean environment.
Make sure you report your claim to both buildings and contents insurer (if they are different).
Start to draw up a list of contents in damaged areas to aid in processing your claim.
Turn off electricity at the mains if wiring has been affected by heat or water.

Don't

Wipe or attempt to wash walls, ceilings or other absorbent surfaces.
Use upholstered furniture if it can be avoided.
Use exposed food items or canned goods which have been subjected to heat exposure.
Use TVs stereos or electrical appliances until cleaned and checked.
Dispose of items which may appear to be beyond repair until agreed with your insurance representative.

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