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Fire hazards at home
Every year several hundred people die and many more are injured in fires in their homes. Most people are familiar with the common causes of house fires including cooking, smoking and seasonal risks like Christmas tree lights, but are their other fire hazards in in your home?
In 2007, the Mail Online reported that a plug-in air freshener had overheated and caused a serious fire. Although the makers of the air freshener maintained that the product was safe, fire chiefs advised homeowners not to leave the air fresheners on for long durations.
What’s on your windowsill?
Aerosols, shaving mirrors and even paperweights have been found to cause fires when exposed to sunlight for long periods. In June 2010, one tabloid reported that a house fire causing £300,000 of damage had been caused by a paperweight left on a windowsill on a sunny day.
At the time, Fire Service Group manager, warned that ‘anything that concentrates sunlight in that way could cause the same hazard.’
Next Steps
To discuss the issues raised in this article or for further information, please speak to your usual Perkins Slade contact. Alternatively you can call 0121 698 8000 and ask to speak to a member of our Private Clients team or email privateclients@perkins-slade.com
