Reducing the risk of a home emergency

Home Emergencies

Home emergencies can be caused by something as straightforward as a loss of power or water, or as dramatic as a roof collapse or house fire. Many things can go wrong in the home - so as well as having the right home emergency cover it's invaluable to take simple steps that can reduce your risk of a problem and make it easier to cope should one occur.

1, Keep instruction manuals and manufacturers' warranties for all your home appliances together, so you can quickly find what you need. It's worth filing them on a room-by-room basis, particularly if you own a large property with a lot of different appliances.

2, Know how your home 'works': where the fusebox is, how the gas and electricity work in your home and how each appliance operates. The better you understand your equipment, the quicker you will know how serious any problem with it is.

3, Store a small emergency kit where you can easily reach it. Include a good torch, spare batteries, candles and matches and a good quality first aid kit.

4, If you are the victim of a crime, such as burglary or vandalism, report it immediately to the police and make sure you are given a crime reference number. Then make your insurance claim straight away - the faster we know what happened, the quicker we can deal with it.

5, After an incident, do not throw away damaged items, or carry out non-emergency repairs, until we've had a chance to inspect the damage, to help you with your insurance claim.

6, Keep a list of emergency phone numbers by your home phone and in your mobile phone. Keep an "ICE" number (In Case of Emergency) in your mobile phone as well, in case you're unconscious and someone needs to make calls for you.

7, Don't "run your larder dry". It's always worth having some tinned or dried foods and long-life essentials in your cupboards, in case you're left without power or can't get to the shops for a period of time.

8, Know where your vital documents are, such as passport, driving licence, birth certificates, deeds and insurance policies. If you need to evacuate or temporarily leave home for some reason, take them with you if you can.

9, Check and clean your gutters regularly and keep porchways, gardens and yards clear to prevent household items being turned into missiles during storms.

10, Of course, it's vital to be properly insured. With our home contents policy, you are protected for up to £75,000 as standard. We have our own 24-hour emergency helpline and will also provide an extensive list of emergency repairers with a 24-hour service, to cover all kinds of situation. We will pay up to £200 for urgent assistance to make your home safe and secure.