About Us

Personal Insurance

Business Insurance

News & Press

Investors

Corporate Governance

Careers

Agents

The Hanover Insurance Group Foundation Teams With The American Red Cross to Help Increase Home Fire Awareness

—Red Cross and The Hanover Urge Caution Heating Homes
as the Weather Gets Cold—

WORCESTER, MA, December 1, 2008 – As temperatures start to dip across Central Massachusetts and families begin to use space heaters and other heating sources to stay warm, the number of home fires often increases. To help the American Red Cross try to limit the increase in home fires The Hanover Insurance Group Foundation, Inc. today announced a $5,000 grant to the Red Cross’ local disaster relief fund.

The mission of The Hanover Insurance Group Foundation, Inc. is to improve the quality of life in communities where The Hanover Insurance Group companies have a major presence.

The Red Cross and The Hanover urge families to be cautious when using space heaters and other heating sources, and to make an evacuation plan that could be implemented in case of a home fire.  

Heat sources such as space heaters, fireplaces or wood/coal stoves can pose serious fire hazards. To prevent heating related fires, the Red Cross and The Hanover recommend keeping all flammable items like newspapers, matches, bedding, clothing, and holiday decorations, such as a Christmas tree at least three feet away from heat sources like fireplaces and wood stoves. In addition, portable heaters and fireplaces should never be left unattended.

“We are very pleased that The Hanover Insurance Group Foundation has stepped up to help us spread the word about home fire awareness throughout Central Massachusetts,” said Nicole Valentine, Red Cross Director of Emergency Services.

Valentine added that, in addition to following the manufacturer’s instructions on how to safely use heating equipment, one of the easiest ways to be prepared for a fire is to install smoke alarms and check that existing smoke alarms are working and in good condition.

“Smoke alarms should also be installed outside of each sleeping area and on each level of your home,” Valentine added. “If you sleep with bedroom doors closed, install an alarm in each bedroom, too. Use the test button to check your alarms once a month, and batteries should be replaced once a year.”

The Hanover and The American Red Cross also recommend following some simple prevention tips to stop heating fires before they start:

• Keep all potential flammables (newspapers, matches, bedding, clothing, carpets, and rugs) at least three feet away from heat sources, such as space heaters, fireplaces, and stoves.
• Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended, and use a glass or metal fire screen to keep fire and embers in the fireplace.
• Never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home.
• Turn off portable space heaters every time you leave the room or go to sleep.
• Have wood and coal stoves, fireplaces, and chimneys inspected annually by a professional, and cleaned if necessary. Make sure you have been properly trained to use these heating sources.
• If you must use a space heater, place it on a level, hard and non-flammable surface (such as ceramic tile floor), not on rugs, or carpets or near bedding or drapes.

Visit www.redcrossworcester.org for more information on how to prevent heating fires. 

About The Hanover Insurance Group Foundation

The mission of The Hanover Insurance Group Foundation, Inc. is to improve the quality of life in communities where The Hanover Insurance Group companies have a major presence, placing a special emphasis on helping to build world class public education systems and inspiring and empowering youth to achieve their full potential.

The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE: THG), based in Worcester, Mass. is a leading provider of auto, home and business insurance in Massachusetts.

The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. is the holding company for a group of insurers that includes The Hanover Insurance Company, also based in Worcester; Citizens Insurance Company of America, headquartered in Howell, Mich., and their affiliates. The Hanover offers a wide range of property and casualty products and services to individuals, families and businesses through an extensive network of independent agents, and has been meeting its obligations to its agent partners and their customers for more than 150 years. Taken as a group, The Hanover ranks among the top 40 property and casualty insurers in the United States.

Contact Information