Halifax Home Insurance warns of Christmas lights

An ever-increasing number of Britons are putting up flashy Christmas lights in and around their homes during the festive season.

As a result, Halifax Home Insurance is urging Britons to be careful, as these can pose a real fire risk.

Vicky Emmott, senior underwriter at Halifax Home Insurance, said: "Every Christmas we receive thousands of phone calls from customers who have had fire damage to their properties."

Every December, Halifax Home Insurance has found that claims for electrical fires in homes rises by around a third.

"We advise people to check that all Christmas lights meet the relevant British safety standards before putting them up," Ms Emmott said.