Considering that winter is the 'spike' season for insurance claims – as it's where the majority of problems occur regarding home maintenance – there's never been a better time to implement safety precautions in and around your home.
The stress and emotional ordeal caused by the aftermath of a home burglary can be really traumatic.
That is why we have strung together three measures that insurance companies recommend homeowners undertake to reduce the chances of a break-in:
Refrain from hiding keys. The best way to go through your daily life is to always assume opportunistic burglars are watching your house, waiting for a window of opportunity.
There will naturally be situations out of your control, such as where you or another household member may forget your key when leaving in a rush, so it's worth leaving a spare key with a trusted neighbour rather than in a hidden spot outside of your property.
Implement a reliable security alarm system. Motion-activated floodlights and cameras are effective tools to deter home invasions, and they can prove useful when reporting any attempts by intruders.
Light, noise and video devices will immediately make your home less of a target, as they add layers of complexity to what could otherwise be a simple in-and-out home break-in.
As an added bonus, insurance companies tend to make greater allowances for homes with modern security systems, so investing in these measures could mean you get a better deal on your cover.
Lock doors and windows. Whilst it's common sense to lock all entry points to your property, it's the one that's most often overlooked – especially with ground-floor windows.
Unlocked doors and windows can void any policy protection in place, so it's crucial you remember to keep your home under lock and key.
This applies when you leave the property and also at night, as 64% of burglaries occur while residents are at home.*
During winter, it's our natural response to close the windows and blast the central heating on to keep our home warm and toasty.
The underlying issue of this is that it stops the air circulating, and – over time – this can cause damp and mould to form.
An easy solution is to open windows for periods of time like when someone's cooking or having a shower / bath. Or alternatively, to implement and use extractor fans or dehumidifiers, as these will reduce the chances of forgetting about an opening to your house.
*Office for National Statistics
