Warning over dangerous heating alternatives
People could be more at risk of making hazardous choices about how they heat and light their home this Winter
Last updated 12th Oct 2022
People could be more at risk of making dangerous choices about how they heat and light their home this Winter, as energy costs rise.
The warning comes from insurer Zurich UK.
Its research shows one in seven (13%) people could light candles, to keep energy bills down.
The company says fires caused by candles can leave homeowners facing average repair bills of £18,000.
Claims that were dealt with by Zurich last year included a £140,000 blaze from a candle that was left unattended.
In another recent incident, a Zurich customer escaped unharmed when her duvet caught fire on an electric heater, causing £200,000 of damage.
Paul Redington, a property claims expert at Zurich UK, said: "The energy crisis is forcing people to make tough - and potentially more hazardous - choices over how they heat and light their home."
He added: "Accidental blazes could climb higher this winter as households use candles to keep energy bills down or cope with potential blackouts.
"Whether people are using candles out of choice or necessity, we want to ensure they are aware of the potential dangers and keep themselves safe.
"Candles can burn out of control in seconds with devastating consequences.
"Homeowners should always keep candles in secure holders, blow them out before leaving a room and ensure naked flames are well away from soft furnishings such as curtains and duvets."
The energy price guarantee limits the unit cost of electricity and gas so a typical household in Britain will pay an average of around £2,500 a year on their energy bill.
The guarantee is not an overall bill cap so some households could pay more, possibly depending on factors such as how well insulated their home is, how big it is and how many people live there.
Under the energy bills support scheme, households are receiving a £400 non-repayable discount.
The UK Government is planning for blackouts but said they are extremely unlikely.
According to Zurich's study, women are more likely than men to switch off the lights in favour of candles this Winter.
The cities where people were particularly likely to say they would light candles were Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham, Glasgow and Sheffield.
Zurich also found that some people would use an open fire to heat a room this winter.
Mr Redington added: "With energy costs threatening to overwhelm household budgets, some people might shut off their central heating and use log fires or portable heaters to warm a single room in their home.
"If people do use these appliances, check they are in good condition and position them away from combustible items. If lighting an open fire, ensure the chimney has been properly swept and is protected by a fireguard."
Research by Opinium among 2,000 people across the UK was carried out for Zurich in September.
Safety tips from Zurich for dealing with candles:
- Never leave lit candles unattended and always put them out when you leave the room - even for a moment.
- Place candles carefully on a stable surface, out of the reach of pets and children.
- Keep candles away from flammable objects such as curtains, furniture, bedding and books.
- Do not move candles once they are lit and do not leave them near open windows.
- Do not burn several candles close together as this might cause the flame to flare.
- Put candles out with a spoon - sparks can fly if you blow them out.
- Fit a smoke alarm and test it now and weekly.
- If there is a fire, get out, stay out and call 999.
Rises in the cost of living are affecting us all:
Interest rates and inflation go up
Inflation rose by 8.8% in the 12 months to January 2023, down from 9.2% in December 2022. With interest rates also rising to 4%, those saving money will earn more interest on their finances, whilst those paying mortgages would pay more interest to the bank.
Energy bills
The price of energy went up incredibly as the cost of living crisis hit, with the gas price spike caused largely by the war in Ukraine. The price cap - which is set by an independent regulator to help offset costs onto customers - was set to rise to £3,549 for an average home in October but a price freeze from the government restricted the typical bill to £2,500. That's still an increase of 27% from the previous energy cap and as it's a cap on unit cost, the more energy you use the higher your bill will be.
Food prices
The cost of a weekly shop also has gone up as a result of the cost of living crisis. As a result of the war in Ukraine, a number of products including cooking oils and wheat have been disrupted. This means that several products are now considerably more expensive, driving bills up for customers.
Prices at the pumps
The average cost of petrol has also rose to unprecedented levels. Supply lines for petrol have been thrown into doubt as a result of the war in Ukraine, as Russia is a large export partner for gas, oil and fuel. In April 2022, the average price for a litre of petrol on the forecourt was 160.2p, whilst a litre of diesel would cost 170.5p. By late June 2022 the price had risen to an average of 190.9p for a litre of unleaded and 198.9p for a litre of diesel. In March 2023 the price wass on average of 147.03 in petrol and 167.04 in diesel.
Average cost of filling up a car with petrol hits £100
On 9th June 2022, the average cost of filling up a car with petrol hit £100 for the first time ever. Diesel had already hit that milestone. It comes as the cost of fuel hit a record high of one pound eighty a litre. The 2p rise was the biggest daily jump in 17 years. Prices have dropped by at least 20p per litre since the high point.