A recent poll commissioned by insurer Chubb Corporation found that nearly half would grab a family photo album, while a fifth would reach for money.

The phone survey of one thousand Americans found that 13 per cent would take a laptop and seven per cent said their pet. Two per cent wouldn't leave their jewelry.

A third of respondents said they don't store valuable documents in a fire-resistant safe or at an off-premise location. But 73 per cent said they've cleared their roof or gutters of leaves and debris, and 70 per cent have removed dead or flammable plants and trees from around their homes.

Still, a fifth said they haven't replaced the batteries in their smoke detectors.