9 October 2007
Financial services provider Abbey has warned of the fire risk which Britons face from their bedroom heating appliances.
Research released by Abbey Insurance shows that damage from such appliances could total around £3.3 million each year - averaging out at around £500 worth of damage for each incident.
Heating remains big business: just over eight million Britons will be bedding down with an electric blanket this winter - with 6.2 million using electric heaters and two million using oil radiators to stay warm.
Electric blankets in particular have been earmarked as a potential fire danger - with the appliances, often old and faulty, blamed for 5,000 home fires annually.
Head of insurance marketing at Abbey Prasad Shastri said: "It is understandable that additional heating appliances are used during the winter, but it is important that they are checked prior to use to ensure that they are not faulty and that they are used correctly otherwise they could prove to be very dangerous.
"We would always advise that people do not leave the heating appliances unattended or fall asleep with it on. Purchasing a timer switch will ensure that electric heaters are not left on longer than necessary."
After examining government statistics, Abbey have reported that around 4,500 accidental fires occur in British bedrooms each year - of which 1,600 are caused by heating appliances.
© 2008 Adfero Ltd
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