Unlikely hazards around the home threaten to make this Christmas even more expensive for the unwary. Especially if they do not have adequate home insurance.

Trips and spills during the festive season invariably result in expensive home repairs, or a trip to the local hospital accident and emergency department.

For example:

• Christmas trees cause an estimated 950 accidents.
• Nearly 2,000 fires result from the careless handling of, or placing articles too close, to candles.
• One of the most popular of Christmas presents-D I Y tools- lead to 83,000 mishaps a year.
• Particular care is needed when cooking the Christmas dinner. Each year cooking equipment is the cause of some 161,000 accidents.

And watch out for burglars. This time of year is particularly popular with thieves, on the look out for easy targets, such as poorly secured homes and presents left in unattended vehicles. Last December insurers dealt with 38,000 domestic burglary claims.

Jane Milne, ABI’s Property and Household Manager gave some seasonal advice:

“ Household accidents are particularly common during the Christmas period. Christmas can be stressful enough, without the added trauma and expense of dealing with an accident or burglary. You can still relax and enjoy the festivities, while at the same time taking that little bit of extra care around the home, and making sure your home and your presents are secure from thieves. Having adequate insurance will be able to compensate you if the worst happens, but it cannot take away the memory of a ruined Christmas.”

Notes

1. Source of figures on home accidents-Home Accident Surveillance System Report, produced by The Department of Trade and Industry.
   
   

1. Further enquiries to:

Malcolm Tarling - 020 7216 7410
(Mobile: 07776 147 667)

1. An ISDN line is available for interviews.