As winter sets in and the weather worsens, one of the issues homeowners will face is ensuring their home is protected from the elements.

With the risk of high winds and winter storms ever apparent throughout the winter season, it's worth giving your home a winter health check in order to reduce the risk. Here are a few essential checks - both inside and outside your property - you could carry out in order to prepare for any bad weather:

With an increasing number of weather-related claims over the last few years, getting the right home insurance deal could make a real difference if your property should sustain weather-related damage.

Colder weather means we rely on a variety of sources to help keep us warm and cosy inside, from central heating to candles. According to research carried out by a leading home insurance provider, it is estimated that nearly half the adult population of the UK will use some other form of heating appliance -such as electric blankets and additional heaters - in their bedrooms in order to help keep warm during the winter.

However it is important to be careful when using these extra appliances, here are a few tips for avoiding that phone call to your house insurance provider

• Ensure that candles are placed on a suitable heat-proof surface away from curtains and not placed under shelves or on top of television sets.
• Don't leave candles to burn unattended
• Ensure any electric blankets are in good condition and working properly, only use overnight if they have a specially-designed thermostat.

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