UK: Fire starter, festive fire starter

• Christmas Day is the worst day of the year for fire damage 
• New Year’s Eve sees burglaries rise according to Aviva data

According to 10 years’ worth of Aviva claims data Christmas Day sees an increase in fire claims of 120% compared with an average day as kitchens go into overdrive to prepare the festive feast*.

And it’s not just Christmas Day that sees a surge in fire claims, there’s a 50% increase on New Year’s Eve as fireworks are set off across the country.

Simon Warsop, Aviva UKGI Chief Underwriting Officer, said: “With over-worked cookers, over-loaded sockets and plenty of candles to brighten up the home, the risk of an accidental fire increases dramatically on Christmas Day. So, don’t turn the season of good cheer into a festive nightmare that sees Christmas go up in smoke Take some simple precautions and switch off hobs, keep candles away from decorations and don’t overload sockets.”

However, while the risk of fire increases, household thefts drop by 60% on Christmas Day when even burglars take the day off. However, burglaries do rise by 8% on New Year’s Eve as revellers go out to party, leaving homes empty.

The festive period also produces other quirky claims facts which highlight how the areas of risk change over a short period of time.

• The week leading up to Christmas sees a 20% increase in car accident claims compared to the average day as people rush round to buy presents on dark wintry roads.
• The five safest days of the year for motor theft are from Christmas to the 29th of December.
• The last day of the year is also one of the worst for accidental damage claims in the home. A 25% increase is down to spills on carpets, cigarette burns and damage to mobile phones and cameras at parties.

To protect its customers at Christmas time, Aviva automatically increases contents cover by an extra £3,000 over the festive period, with burglary already covered as standard under home insurance.

Aviva’s tips to a safe and happy Christmas:

• Take care when cooking Christmas dinner, make sure you switch off hobs and get help when necessary.
• Check fairy lights, don’t over load sockets and switch them off when you’re out and when you go to bed.
• Don’t place the tree and decorations near candles or the fireplace. A burning tree can rapidly fill a room with fire.
• Don’t make your home look like a shop window for burglars by leaving presents under the tree – try to keep them out of sight until the big day.
• Attics and lofts are a good hiding place for presents and it’s usually too much effort for the average burglar to look that hard for items to steal, plus they’ll be far away from the wandering eyes and hands of excited children.
• Ensure all gift packaging is as unidentifiable as possible when you throw it out. It’s easy to just dump new TV or smartphone boxes in or near your outside bin, but it’s a beacon for opportunistic burglars.
• Double-check the home security before you leave your home for a Christmas or New Year party. Ensure all doors, windows, sheds and garages are locked securely and spare keys aren’t on display or near to your front door –this will prevent burglars using the hook and cane method through your letterbox.
• Leave lights and the TV or radio on if you’re out and about over Christmas so burglars think you’re home.
• Be neighbourly – keeping an eye out for suspicious behaviour and alerting the police if necessary is the right thing to do and could mean you prevent a miserable Christmas or New Year for your neighbours.

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If you are a journalist and would like further information, please contact: John Franklin: Aviva Press Office : 01603 680795: john.s.franklin@aviva.com

*Aviva Claims Data 2006-2015

Notes to editors:

• Aviva provides life insurance, general insurance, health insurance and asset management to 33 million customers, across 16 markets worldwide
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