Winter can be a difficult season for homeowners, meaning home insurance claims can soar, it is claimed.

Confused.com draws attention to the rise in potential issues caused by the cold weather.

It calls for people to check old heating appliances to make sure they are safe before using them.

Roaring fires can be romantic but the sparks can damage carpets and cause cracked walls in flues which have not been cleaned in a while, the comparison website warns.

Darren Black, the head of home insurance at Confused.com, states these dangers are not the only increased threat to properties during the winter months, noting burglars sometimes take advantage of the darker evenings.

"In addition to being increasingly vigilant over the next couple of months, having the right home insurance is an integral part of securing peace of mind," he adds.

Earlier this month, the website asserted that home insurance "apathy" is causing Brits to lose a total of £1.4 billion each year because they fail to look for a better quote.

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