7 tips to help you prevent fire

• 1 in 67 homes is damaged by fire every year 
• In 2020, home fire-related claims totalled roughly €225,000,000 
• In 6 out of every 10 cases of a home fire with injuries, there was no smoke detector in the house

Many fires are caused by things that are easy to prevent, such as chimney fires, short circuits in electrical appliances and dryer fires. With these tips, you will prevent many common causes of home fires:

1. Got a fireplace? Don’t you just love the atmosphere created by a crackling fire? Use only ‘clean’ untreated and unpainted wood in your fireplace. Only ever light your fireplace using the appropriate fire starter cubes. And have your chimney swept regularly to reduce the risk of a chimney fire.
2. Dryers are a common cause of fire. The combination of dust and heat can quickly spark a fire, so make sure you clean your dryer’s lint filter after every drying cycle. It’s done in no time and will prevent a lot of misery. You should also install a smoke detector in the room where you have your dryer.
3. If you cook on a gas hob, make sure your pans have no dirt and grease on the outside. And make sure you don’t have anything lying around the gas hob, such as a tea towel or oven mitts. In case of a pan fire, put the lid on the pan and don’t use water to try to put out the fire. Always stay in the kitchen when you’re cooking something. Many house fires start in the kitchen, during cooking.
4. Don’t leave your electrical devices and appliances on standby, but shut them down completely when going out or when going to bed. Never leave your washing machine, dryer or dishwasher running when you’re out.
5. When charging devices, use only original chargers. Once your device is fully charged, unplug it to prevent the battery from getting overcharged. Also remember to unplug the charger when you go to bed.
6. Whenever you light a candle to create a cosy atmosphere, make sure it’s not too close to curtains or other flammable items. And blow out the candle when you go out or to bed.
7. It’s a good idea to have a fire extinguisher or a fire blanket in your house. This will allow you to put out small fires yourself and prevent a fire from spreading. 

The alarm from a smoke detector and a carbon monoxide detector will give you time to escape and call the emergency services. Read more about smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. We’d be happy to help you with useful tips.

So, there you are. The fire has fortunately been extinguished and the firefighters have returned to their station. No one got hurt, but the extent of the damage has left you bewildered. Damage to your belongings, soot all over the walls, and serious water damage to the floors. What do you do? That’s when home contents insurance is very good to have. If you own your own home, make sure you also get good home insurance, with ABN AMRO, for example. Click here to read what you can do when faced with fire damage.

Regularly check whether your home contents insurance still gives you enough cover. You can check this online or on your policy.

Has your home been damaged by fire? We’re sorry to hear that. We hope you and your family are OK. Instead of starting to repair things right away, contact your insurer first to submit a claim. If you have home contents insurance or home insurance with ABN AMRO, you can submit your claim online.