December – The month of fires
Fire risk is particularly high in December. In Germany, during the advent season and Christmas, fires from advent wreathes and Christmas trees occur quite frequently. And on New Year’s Eve fireworks and crackers cause many more fires.
According to the GDV (General Association of the German Insurance Industry) around 12,000 fires occur every year with estimated 34 Million Euro losses. In 2011, 36 % more losses than in the other winter months were reported. Children are particularly endangered. The fire brigades assume that nearly one third of all fire victims are children.
The GDV figures also show that since 2009 the number of roughly 12,000 fires remained unchanged, while the costs per fire increased: in 2009, the German insurers reimbursed around 2,600 Euro per fire; in 2011, the amount increased to 2,900 Euro.
