IN CASE OF FIRE BE PREPARED
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| Article date: 19/09/2005 : 16:09:10 |
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Halifax Home Insurance has urged homeowners to heed professional advice during National Fire Safety Week in order to protect themselves and their property.
According to research from Halifax 19 million people are unprepared for fire in their home and have no planned escape route should a blaze break out.
Ensuring adequate contents insurance in the case of fire is equally as important. According to Vicky Emmott, senior underwriter for Halifax Home Insurance, the firm received more than 4000 claims for fire damage during 2004. Of these 61 per cent resulted from accidental fires.
"The majority of accidental fires were caused by forgotten candles, sparks from open fires, or cigarettes that hadn't been extinguished properly — most of which could be avoided if the necessary precautions were taken," explained Ms Emmott.
"It's vital that people take heed of the advice of fire specialists during National Fire Safety Week and take the time to prevent and prepare."
According to data from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) domestic claims for fire damage reached £326 million in 2004. Halifax alone paid out £23 million worth of fire related claims last year.
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