8 November 2024

Protecting your listed property during fireworks season

By Vikki Rushbrook Insurance Advisor
Fireworks light up the night sky over a town with illuminated buildings reflecting on the calm water.
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Fireworks can be a spectacular sight, but they also pose potential risks to your listed property.
Here are some tips to help you safeguard your historic home during the fireworks season.

Regular inspections
Historic homes can have older, more flammable materials therefore conduct regular inspections to identify and repair any vulnerabilities, such as dry rot, which could increase your listed properties fire risk.

Securing your home
Whilst local displays may be a safe distance away, your neighbours may decide to do a display of their own, which will almost certainly have less safety considerations. If this is the case, then close windows and doors to prevent stray fireworks from entering.

Colorful fireworks burst in the night sky, viewed through a window with vertical black bars.

Protecting your roof and garden

Remove any dry leaves, branches, or other flammable materials from your roof and gutters. If you have a pool or pond, cover it to prevent debris from fireworks contaminating the water.

Fire safety measures

Whilst maintaining the historic integrity of your home, ensure that you have fire safety measures in place and that they meet insurer requirements.

Check that your smoke alarms are functioning correctly and replace batteries if needed. We’d recommend checking these regularly throughout the year.

Have a garden hose connected and ready to use in case of small fires.

Insurance check

Review your home insurance policy to understand what is covered in case of fire damage caused by fireworks. Look for specific clauses related to firework-related incidents and ensure you have adequate cover. If necessary, update your policy to include additional cover for fire damage.

If you have valuables, ensure the items are photographed and your documentation is in a safe place to help in the event of a claim. It’s a good idea to send a copy of your valuations to your broker, whether or not your insurer requires it.

If you’re unsure about your cover or need advice on how to protect your listed property, consider speaking to a specialist broker, like Abode. We provide personalised guidance and will help you find the most suitable policy.

A garden at dusk with illuminated lanterns, potted plants, palm-like tree, and lawn surrounded by dense green foliage.

Specialised insurance for listed properties

For those with listed properties, Abode offers specialised insurance that can help safeguard your historic home year-round. Our policies are tailored to the unique needs of listed properties, providing comprehensive cover and peace of mind.

You can contact us by phone on 01622 476433 or by email at info@abode-insurance.com.

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Listed properties hold an important place in our national heritage. As a result, there are certain laws around the changes you can make to your home both inside and out, to help preserve the features and character that make it individual. Insuring your listed home is therefore more complex, but it is also absolutely vital.

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