Protect your home on Bonfire Night

Thursday, 4 November 2010 4:58 PM

From burglary to firework damage, Ben Salisbury explains why we should be particularly careful to protect our homes on Bonfire Night.

Bonfire Night generates the highest number of home insurance claims of any night of the year. Millions of us leave our homes and vehicles at risk, both of burglary and damage by fireworks, or are not aware of the insurance risks of hosting a party and lighting fireworks ourselves.

Some statistics
If you think the risk to insurance is exaggerated at this time of year, here are some startling numbers that may lead you to think again. According to research carried out this October and published by Santander this week, three per cent of homeowners have had their property damaged by stray fireworks and more than two per cent of Brits have been violently attacked by people using fireworks as weapons.

Further research from Aviva shows that burglars see Bonfire Night as an opportunity to break in to people's homes. Burglaries show an increase of 26 per cent compared to an average day, and car thefts increase by 25 per cent.

November has the second highest number of fire claims, beaten only by December when the nation attempts to wire their homes up with Christmas lights.

Miguel Sard, CEO of Santander Insurance, commented: "The period around Halloween and Bonfire Night can be a frightening time for many, as communities are subject to anti-social behaviour and criminal damage. Not only is there a risk of property and possessions being damaged, but with many people out and about viewing fireworks or trick-or-treating, burglars see this as a great opportunity to enter people's homes."

He added: "We would advise all homeowners to make sure that the main entrances to their homes are secure, and to make the property look occupied, even if it isn't.

Parties and celebrations
If you are planning to host a fireworks party at home, you need to consider the risk of injury or damage to your guests and make sure you are covered through your home insurance. Over 6,000 people are injured and treated for firework accidents each year, with half of these injuries happening to children aged under 16.

It is essential to check that your home insurance policy is up to date and that you have adequate personal liability cover for yourself, your home and the people who attend the event. If someone was injured, you could be liable for any injury or damage if you are not covered by insurance.

What you need to ensure is covered
Before the firework party begins, it is vital you read the small print of your home insurance cover and make sure you have sufficient personal liability protection.

Most household buildings and contents insurance policies are likely to provide sufficient cover if your property or possessions are damaged by a bonfire or firework. However, make sure your home insurance policy also covers garden equipment, furniture and other valuables. Sheds, fences and greenhouses are usually covered by buildings policies but other contents in your garden probably won't be.

Protecting your home
If you are going out for the evening, close the curtains but leave a few lights on so that it looks as if someone is at home. Before you go out make sure all doors, windows and outbuildings have been locked. If your home is fitted with a burglar alarm, make sure you switch it on before you go out. Test your smoke alarm to ensure it is working.

Protecting your family
If you are hosting a fireworks party, nominate a responsible, non-drinking adult, preferably yourself if it is on your property, to be in charge of lighting the fireworks. Keep fireworks sealed in a container and away from children.

If you are out at a fireworks display or bonfire keep an eye on the people you are with, especially children. At some bigger processions the streets can become very crowded and it is easy to lose someone. Watch out for stray lit torches and fireworks that are left on the street. If you are watching a bonfire, don't get too close.

Protecting your garden and car
Put valuable garden ornaments or plant pots inside a locked shed or other outbuilding. If you have a gate to your garden, make sure you lock it before you go out. If possible, put your car away in a locked garage or on the drive. If that is not possible consider parking away from the main street. Always lock your car and set the alarm if you have one.

Fire hotspots by region
Churchill insurance found through analysing their 2009 claims data that the north-west of England has the largest amount of home insurance claims on Bonfire Night, followed by the north-east. Scotland comes in third followed by London. If you live in these areas you should be especially careful. The south-west is fifth, followed by the East Midlands, Yorkshire and then the West Midlands. Wales, the south-east and East Anglia are, historically, relatively safe areas, and Northern Ireland has the lowest amount of home insurance claims on Bonfire Night.

Fire hotspots by home type
If you live in an end-of-terrace house you should pay particular attention. Martin Scott, head of Churchill home insurance, comments: "End-of-terrace houses seem most likely to have fire damage. Although there is nothing in their construction that would suggest they are more at risk, end-of-terrace households have made more fire-related claims according to Churchill data."

End-of-terrace homes are closely followed by detached houses, then semi-detached bungalows. Semi-detached houses come next, followed by terraced homes, detached bungalows and maisonettes. Surprisingly, because they are often close to the pavements and busy streets, ground floor flats are the second safest, with first floor flats the safest of all.

Safety tips for handling fireworks
Always read the instructions carefully and never return to a firework after it has been lit. There are a lot of inferior products around. To make sure you get fireworks that conform to safety standards, only buy fireworks marked with the British Standard Kitemark BS 7114. This also means that the fireworks are likely to be of a better standard than the fake ones that are available.

Never use petrol to help get your bonfire going and make sure you build the bonfire in a space away from any buildings, fences or hedges. You should also make sure that no fireworks are thrown onto the bonfire.

Keep pets safely indoors and keep a bucket of water or a garden hose nearby in case of an emergency.
 

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