Homeowners are being urged to act responsibly this Christmas as house fires are a common occurrence during Yuletide celebrations.

The Fire Kills campaign has found that the distractions of a crowded house and celebrations can often result in festive food being left unattended. Cooking under the influence of alcohol could also potentially ignite fire, highlighting why it’s important to stay alert whilst preparing the turkey dinner.

It’s not just the cooking which is at risk of fire either. Flammable decorations, dry Christmas trees and stray wrapping paper can all act as extra fuel to a festive fire.

To make matters worse, candles, stray cigarettes and overheated sockets jammed with Christmas light appliances could all spark a fire.

Your home could be at risk from fire this winter and it may be advisable to check your home insurance policy to ensure you are fully covered for any fire related disaster.

Last December, almost 1,400 house fires were started by cooking appliances. This subsequently resulted in more than 300 injuries and, in some extreme cases, death. The research found that one in six deaths that occurred last December was fire related.

The Government’s Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser, Sir Ken Knight, said; “The hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations can often push fire safety out of our minds.

“But in reality, the start of festive celebrations bring a whole cocktail of fire risks into the home – from the distractions of a crowded house while cooking and the slower reaction times that result from alcohol consumption, to the potential dangers of overloaded plug sockets, flammable decorations and unattended candles.”

During the festive season your house will be home to many new and possibly expensive gifts, the last thing you want is for a fire to ruin your home and your Christmas gifts. It could be worth reviewing your policy so that the new items you purchase are also covered in the event of a fire, theft or flood.