The UK often gets some very nice sunny days in September, with decent temperatures in the afternoons and early evenings. Hot enough for a BBQ and a chilled beer? Maybe so, but there are also potential fire risks on bright sunny days, as LV= has noted. From BBQs to burning compost heaps, or even mirrors;
LV= General Insurance (LV= GI), one of the largest home insurers in the UK, is warning homeowners to keep an eye out for potential summer fire hazards in both their home and garden. The average cost of these claims was around £34,203, with some homes being completely gutted as a result. LV says that reflected light from the sun can direct rays from magnifying objects onto combustible materials, such as curtains, which can then cause them to catch fire.
Claims which the insurer settled last year that involved reflective materials included:
• A doubled sided mirror left on the windowsill, which scorched the frame, ignited the curtains and caused £11,000 worth of damage.
• A garden mirror reflected the rays of the sun and scorched patio doors, costing £3,000.
• A compost bin set alight in the garden, causing a fire to spread rapidly at the back of the house. The damage cost £42,000 to fix.
• Three pieces of glass on a display stand in a lounge sparked a fire, causing £14,000 worth of damage.
• A fire started in a garden room with a glass topped table, which reflected the sun’s rays. The damage cost £6,500 to repair.
In addition to fires from reflective materials, LV= also saw heath and wildfires rise last year, with homes near open spaces at risk of damage. Hot and dry weather can combine to create the perfect conditions for heath fires which can be started naturally by the sun or even by unwatched BBQs. If BBQs aren’t handled correctly they can quickly become a fire hazard which can put the valuables in your garden at risk.
Top tips to protect your home from fires on sunnier days:
• Make sure any mirrors or reflective items aren’t facing the sun or left in a place where the sun can reflect from them onto material objects.
• If needed, when the sun’s rays are intense, keep your curtains closed and blinds down.
• Ensure smoke alarms are fitted and regularly checked.
• Never use a BBQ indoors, on a balcony or in an enclosed space. Position your BBQ on ground level away from anything flammable such as sheds, fences, trees or tents.
• When disposing of your BBQ make sure no coals are glowing, and have fully cooled down before you discard of them. It would only take a tiny spark for a fire to light your bin.
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