Don't give burglars an open invitation

As the hot weather continues, Halifax Home Insurance reminds homeowners to keep doors and windows closed to avoid giving burglars a window of opportunity.

Recent Home Office figures show burglary is rising, yet many homeowners are still failing to take steps to protect their homes from opportunist thieves. According to recent research from Halifax Home Insurance, almost a quarter (22%) don't bother to keep windows and doors locked when they are in the home, and one in six (17%) say they don't have any home contents insurance, leaving themselves with no means of recouping the cost of valuables should they become a victim of burglary.

Halifax's own claims data shows that 29% of burglaries last year were unforced through open or unlocked doors and windows, with claims peaking in August when the weather is at its hottest.

Senior Claims Manager Martyn Foulds says: "When it's warm outside people often leave windows and doors open to keep cool, but many don't realise that burglaries often happen while the homeowners are at home, as opportunist burglars reach in through open doors and windows to grab whatever they can. Small items such as wallets, car keys, MP3 players and digital cameras are particularly at risk. We'd recommend people close windows when they are not in the room and lock their front door when they are out in the back garden."

Since the recession began, one in seven (14%) people say feel more vulnerable to burglary than ever before, and almost a quarter (24%) said they have been a victim of burglary at some time in their lives, yet still one in five people (20%) admit they never think about keeping items of value out of sight of would-be thieves.

Halifax Home Insurance recommends homeowners take the following steps to ensure they don't give burglars an open invitation to steal their valuables this summer:

Lock the front door when out in the garden

Keep windows closed when not in the room

Don't leave valuables within easy reach or visible through windows

Mark your property with an ultra violet pen to help police trace it if it is stolen

Keeping receipts of valuables can help in the event of a claim

Consider installing a safe for small valuables such as jewellery, watches and credit cards

Fit visible, key operated window and door locks and keep them locked, particularly on the ground floor of properties.

Don't leave keys hidden outside as most burglars know where to look

Install a burglar alarm in a prominent place and always set it at night and when leaving the property empty.

Halifax Home Insurance offers unlimited cover for buildings and contents which means that homeowners will never find themselves underinsured. For a fascinating insight into the nation's attitudes to home security, read the Peace of Mind report at halifax.co.uk/peaceofmind.