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• New figures reveal 376 people were killed by fires at home in 2005‚ 134 of which were over the age of 65 (36%) ¹
• People over 65 are twice as likely to die in fires as people under 65 ¹
• 11‚565 people were injured by fires at home ¹
• Emotional and financial losses can be devastating
• Fire claims amount to the second highest cost on home insurance

Fires at home killed 376 people in 2005 and injured a further 11‚565 according to new government figures¹. Those who die in fires are twice as likely to be aged over 65¹ so Age Concern is urging older people to protect their homes and themselves from the risk of fire.

Most people escape unhurt from fires at home‚ but with a total of 57‚800 domestic fires in 20051‚ home insurance to cover fire damage is a household essential.

During 2005 fire caused £358 million worth of damage in the UK that was subsequently claimed on personal home insurance policies - making it the second biggest reason to claim²‚ with weather being the first reason and theft as the third2. Those without adequate insurance can be left with serious financial difficulties as well as the emotional effects of losing family heirlooms‚ photo collections and other items of sentimental value. As a recent government fire prevention slogan points out‚ ‘a fire doesn’t have to kill you to take your life’. ³

“Fire can have a devastating effect on people’s lives and‚ as the figures show‚ it’s often older people who suffer the most‚“ said Antony Osborne from Age Concern Insurance Services.

“Thankfully most people escape unhurt‚ but the emotional and financial loss that a fire can cause may be severe‚” he added.

While home insurance can’t refund the sentimental value of your possessions‚ it can certainly cover the financial costs of replacing goods and making necessary repairs to your home. With this in mind‚ it is vital that you have adequate home insurance and make sure your home and its contents are insured for the right amount. Some people put off updating their policy when they buy expensive new goods‚ but this can prove to be a costly oversight. Age Concern Insurance Services offers home insurance from £36.75* a year and can be contacted on 0845 606 5075 for more information4.

To help older people keep safe from fire‚ Age Concern has compiled a list of ten top tips that people should use at home:

1) Smoke alarms are essential for every home – check yours regularly to make sure it works and doesn’t need new batteries. Also‚ it never hurts to have an alarm on each floor of your house
2) Keep candles away from materials that burn easily‚ make sure that the candle holder is stable and don’t leave them burning when no one is in the room
3) Don’t fill chip pans more than a third full and if the oil starts smoking don’t put food in‚ but leave it to cool
4) Don’t leave saucepans unattended and take care in the kitchen – over half of fires at home are caused by accidents while cooking
5) If you have an electric blanket‚ make sure it is in good condition. Electric blankets should be replaced after 10 years‚ and you can have it tested for free in many parts of the country 7
6) Don’t leave cigarettes burning and don’t smoke in bed
7) Keep matches and lighters safely away from children
8) Make sure lights and heaters aren't positioned near curtains and other materials that could burn
9) Don't let cables or plugs get wet. Keep liquids away from electrical appliances
10) Make sure you have adequate home insurance‚ in case the worst comes to the worst

There is plenty more that you can do to keep your house safe from fire. For further information‚ visit www.firekills.gov.uk or contact your local fire and rescue service.

Age Concern Insurance Services offers home insurance from £36.754 a year and it is one of the few policies to offer a very low minimum sum insured – just £7‚500.5 This allows older people with fewer possessions to pay only for the cover they need.  Age Concern Insurance Services also offers a free 24-hour helpline6 for emergency assistance providing qualified and authorised repairers and offers interest free instalments to spread the cost of insurance.

Profits generated by Age Concern Insurance Services go directly to the Age Concern charity‚ raising additional funds for invaluable support services such as day centres‚ home visits and transportation as well as helping the charity campaign for the well-being and rights of older people.

For a free‚ no-obligation quotation or immediate cover call 0845 606 5075.  Calls are charged at a local call rate.  Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am – 8pm‚ Saturday 9am – 5pm.  Or if you prefer to discuss your options face-to-face‚ then please visit your local Age Concern and speak to a trained member of staff in person7.

Latest fire statistics (2005) at a glance

• There were 57‚800 domestic fires in 2005
• 376 people were killed in domestic fires
• 11‚565 people were injured in fires at home

Age	Deaths	Injuries
Under 1	2	117
1-4	11	505
5-10	10	385
11-16	3	445
17-24	18	1‚376
25-29	11	925
30-59	150	4‚599
60-64	30	500
65-79	79	1‚356
80 and over	55	1‚041
Unspecified	7	316
Total	376	11‚565

– Ends –

¹ Fire Statistics United Kingdom‚ 2005‚ Department of Communities and Local Government – provisional statistics‚ 26 March‚ 2007
² Association of British Insurers‚ January 2007. The biggest cause of domestic home insurance claims in 2005 (by value) was the weather‚ the third biggest was theft and the fourth biggest was domestic subsidence.
³ Communities and Local Government fire prevention campaign‚ relaunched January 2006
4 Home insurance applies for contents only. Written quotations available on request.
5 The sum insured must represent the full replacement cost as new of all contents
6 You will need to pay for the costs of any contractor found through this service.
7 Not all Age Concerns offer all Age Concern products and services. Please check (by telephoning your local office) before arranging a visit.  If you need details of your local Age Concern‚ look in Yellow Pages under the Home Insurance section.
* Premiums vary according to individual circumstances: all applications are underwritten.

For further information‚ please contact George Morrison or Derya Filiz on 020 7404 6777 / george.morrison@trimediahc.com or derya.filiz@trimediahc.com

Notes to editors

About Age Concern Home Insurance

Age Concern Insurance Services (ACIS) offers  contents insurance from under £40 a year and is one of the few insurance policies which offers a very low minimum sum insured‚ thereby allowing older people with fewer possessions to pay only for the cover they need.  Importantly‚ the policy is index-linked so that the level of cover rises with inflation and the full replacement value of goods will be made available.

Age Concern Home Insurance provides:
• Contents cover against perils such as fire‚ flooding and theft that includes the option of building insurance. Policies are indexed linked so that sums insured are increased in line with inflation. 
• Low minimum contents sums insured from £7‚500 (the sum insured must represent the full replacement cost as new of all contents).
• A low £25 excess (for most claims).
• A range of additional benefits are automatically included e.g. costs of alternative accommodation‚ accidental damage to mirrors and glass‚ spoilage of frozen food and replacement of external locks if keys are lost or stolen.
• A 24 hour domestic emergency helpline providing qualified and authorised repairers.
• A free legal helpline for independent and confidential advice on any legal problem.
• Interest free instalment option allows customers to spread payments.  Written quotations available on request.

Age Concern Insurance Services (ACIS)

Age Concern Insurance Services (ACIS) was created in 1983 to offer better value insurance for older people. General insurance was an area in which over-50s had been ill served for a long time. Starting as a local service‚ it has grown to be one of the UK’s leading general insurance brands for older people.

Today ACIS plays a dual role. It endeavours to offer some of the best value policies available while ensuring that these products are designed to meet the specific needs of older customers.  All profits generated by Age Concern from selling products and services go directly to support Age Concern’s charitable activities.

ACIS’ product has developed through demand to include home‚ contents‚ travel‚ motor‚ and motor breakdown insurance.

Policies can be bought either direct by phone – the 0845 number quoted is operated by Fortis Insurance who provide Age Concern Home Insurance -‚ or through any of the 160 participating local Age Concern groups and organisations. In an age which is becoming more technology driven‚ Age Concern is invaluable in offering older people a personal service at a local level with which many feel most comfortable.

Age Concern & why it trades:

At a local level‚ Age Concern offers a range of services for older people‚ such as day centres‚ luncheon clubs‚ and advice and information services.

At a national level‚ Age Concern campaigns with and for older people: developing policy; influencing Government; training care professionals; supporting local Age Concern bodies‚ financially and professionally.

To fund this work‚ Age Concern needs a constant flow of independent income. It seeks to achieve this through a balance of traditional fund raising and trading activities.

Age Concern’s trading activities enable it to meet the needs of older people‚ through products specifically designed to meet these needs; quality products such as General Insurance and Energy Services.

Age Concern Enterprises Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority for general insurance (311438) Age Concern Enterprises Ltd is registered in England and Wales No. 3156159. Registered Office: Astral House‚ 1268 London Road‚ SW16 4ER Age Concern Enterprises Ltd is a trading company of Age Concern England and gives any profits to that registered charity.

Journalists contact:

Trimedia
Derya Filiz
Elly Kestenbaum
Imogen Davies
Telephone: 0207 025 7500