Straight hair looks good but is it damaging your home?
Scorching hair straighteners are causing havoc in the home with women burning their carpets in the quest for a perfect barnet.
High street insurance retailer Swinton is warning people of the dangers of hair straighteners after it revealed a hair raising 16% increase in the number of home insurance claims for burnt carpets due to straightening irons.
The temperatures of some hair straighteners available on the high street can soar to a sizzling 200°C and if left on the floor switched on will start burning the carpet after just ten minutes.
British women spend more than £200m a year on hair straighteners and other electronic styling equipment. According to a Swinton survey, eight out of ten women own a pair of hair straighteners and not only are they proving to be every woman’s best friend but every man’s as well.
A staggering 20% of men have admitted to owning a pair of hair straighteners themselves or sharing them with a partner.
Many home insurance policies won’t cover damage to carpets caused by burning unless they have taken out additional accidental damage cover. Swinton advises people to look at their policies to find out whether they’re covered and if not then speak to a broker about adding it.
Steve Chelton, Insurer Development manager at Swinton said: "Everyone wants to look their best and styling your hair is an important part of feeling good about yourself. We don’t want to stop people using electronic hair styling equipment but we want to warn people to use them correctly and follow safety guidelines.
"Burnt carpets can be easily avoided by following a couple of simple rules, don’t leave the straighteners on for long periods, take the plug out after use and don’t rest straighteners on flammable surfaces."