Christmas lights warning for home insurance customers

Those hoping that they will not have to claim on their home insurance policy this Christmas have been warned to remain aware of the dangers of fairy lights and flammable decorations .

Figures from the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) showed that ten per cent of the 33,000 accidental house fires that occurred in 2008 happened around the festive period.

As well as the costs involved in having to claim on home insurance if a fire occurs, CLG has warned of the risks of toxic fumes that can quickly arise when certain items are burned, which will be explained in a television campaign throughout December.

Sir Ken Knight, chief fire and rescue advisor, said: Christmas should be a time for celebration rather than tragedy and for this reason I'm urging people to be fire aware and stay fire safe.

Home insurance provider Saga recently offered a discount on its contents policy to deal with the increased number of expensive items kept in the house as people prepare for Christmas .