More people make home insurance claims in winter than other times of the year, according to Joe Langan of Donegal insurance brokers Hickey Clarke and Langan, and bad weather is more often than not to blame.

"We've noticed that already this year, because there was some severe weather in November on the north-west coast and all along the western seaboard," he says.

Freezing conditions over the Christmas period frequently give rise to claims for water damage.

"People go away and lock up the house. The pipes freeze and when the thaw comes, the pipes burst," says Langan.

In one horror story, a family who went skiing for two weeks returned to find the storage tank in their attic had burst and half the ceiling was on the floor.

So what steps can homeowners take to protect their homes in winter?

1. Leave the heat on:

Homeowners can easily prevent pipes bursting when they're away. "You can turn the water off and drain the system, but that can cause problems later," says Langan.

"Instead people can keep the heat on at a low temperature and leave the attic door open so the heat will permeate through. They can also fix a frost stat, which is not hugely expensive, so that if the temperature drops below four degrees, the frost stat activates the heating system."

2. Check the roof:

There is not much people can do to protect their properties against storm damage, adds Langan, except check they have proper guttering in place, the roof has been adequately maintained and there are no loose tiles. Insurers' quotes are usually based on the property being in a good state of repair.

3.Ensure valuables are covered:

According to accountants Deloitte, Irish consumers are planning a bumper Christmas, intending to spend 8 per cent more on gifts than last year.

Most insurers will automatically bump up the value of policyholders' contents cover by 10 per cent for the month of December. High-value items such as expensive jewellery, however, will have to be listed under the specified all-risks part of the policy and an additional premium paid.

4. Be fire safe:

Christmas is a high-risk period for fires. The National Safety Council advises homeowners with real trees to place them securely in a sturdy base filled with water and to keep them away from heat sources. Only buy Christmas lights marked with a safety standard, do not use old lights with worn-out wiring and do not overload sockets, it adds. Outdoor lights should be suitable for outdoor use. It also urges keeping candles out of reach of children and pets and away from curtains and electrical appliances.

5. Fit locks and alarms

If you have told your insurer you have a monitored burglar alarm and approved security locks fitted on doors and windows, then make sure you do, as otherwise the insurer will likely turn down any claim you make for theft.