Homeowners warned to check alarm systems
Insurance company Legal & General has recently recommended that homeowners should regularly check their smoke detectors or burglar alarms are working correctly. Failing to maintain home alarm systems could otherwise impact on any future insurance claims in the event of an incident occurring.
In a recent L&G survey, over 50% of households admitted that they never checked or maintained their home alarm systems.
Government statistics show that in 28% of fires where an alarm was present, the alarm failed to operate. More than 50% of these failures were due to flat or missing batteries.
Recommended alarm maintenance check list:
• Alarm should always be maintained according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Smoke alarms should have their batteries replaced or checked monthly to ensure that they are working.
• Clear away any dust or debris from around the alarms sensor.
Head of Technical Services at L&G, Elaine Parkes said: "These simple checks should give customers confidence that their property is safe and secure and more importantly, covered by meeting the terms of their policy."
Government crime statistics show that burglaries on homes installed with burglar alarms are 60% more likely to fail, when compared to homes without an alarm. Homes not fitted with smoke alarms are four times more likely to cause death than those with smoke alarms.
