Avoiding Homeowners Insurance Claims During The Holiday Season

Despite being a festive time of year, the holiday season puts your home and family at increased risk for fire hazards. Claims related to holiday home fires that are paid out to homeowners to help cover what can be a costly loss increase during the season. In fact, a study conducted by Allstate Insurance found that holiday-related insurance claims involving residential fires increase by 15 percent. Therefore, it's important to know the potential hazards and take steps to reduce the risk.

• Christmas Tree Fires. According to a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) report that looked at data from 2009-2013, an average of 210 home structure fires started by Christmas trees were reported each year. Property damage was estimated at $930 million annually. But there are steps you can take to keep fire from setting your Christmas tree and home ablaze.

  Put up a flame retardant artificial tree. If you prefer a live tree, choose a tree with fresh, green needles. Lots of brown needles and brittle twigs are signs of drying. Keep the base of the trunk in water the whole while the tree is up to keep it fresh and prevent it from becoming a fire hazard. You can also buy flame retardant products to spray on the tree.

  Since one in three residential Christmas tree fires are ignited by electrical malfunctions, decorate your tree with UL-listed lights and extension cords, and use them according to the manufacturer's instructions. Inspect all electrical decorations for frayed wires and broken bulbs. To prevent overheating, use mini lights or LED lights – both of which use less wattage and don't burn as hot.

• Holiday Candles and Menorahs. The warm glow of scented candles, votive candles, and taper candles surrounded by sprigs of fresh evergreens and pine cones add a festive feel to your holiday decor. But December is a month for more home candle fires and the ensuing home insurance claims. Fortunately, there are simple measures you can take to prevent candle fires this holiday season.

  Place candles on a heat-resistant surface and never leave them unattended. Keep burning candles away from flammable materials, drafts, and ceiling fans. A sign that a draft is present is if a candle flickers or the flame burns too high. Always extinguish candles before leaving the room or going to bed. If the wick is still glowing, the candle isn't out.

• Fireplace Fires. If you enjoy the warmth and ambience of burning logs in the fireplace during the holiday season but worry about the risk of fire, there are several fire prevention steps you can take.

  Burn only seasoned firewood and empty hot ashes into a metal container and then pour water over the ashes. Cover the container tightly with a lid until the ashes cool completely.

  Keep wrapped packages and gift boxes away from the fireplace. Besides the risk of these highly-combustible materials catching fire, wrapping paper burns at high temperatures.

  Don't drape holiday greenery, garland, and other combustible decorations over the edge of the mantel. A fireplace spark guard helps prevent stray sparks from the fire from shooting out and igniting flammable materials – including your Christmas tree – that are too near.

For more information, contact Scovotti Insurance or a similar company.