Keep your house secure
A new fear is gripping the nation as 4.1 million Brits admit they are expecting their homes will be broken-into in 2009, so says latest figures from home insurer, MORE TH>N.
The new panic-pandemic adds to the country¹s list of woes, already spiralling with worries of economic meltdown, redundancy and swine flu.
Shocking figures reveal that almost one in ten Brits expect to be burgled this year, with the Welsh notching up the honour of Most Paranoid (12 percent), joined by those living in Yorkshire (12 percent). Londoners, who have the misfortune of being familiar with high crime rates, rank third with 11 percent believing it is likely they will be burgled within the year.
More worrying still is the discovery that over a quarter of Brits say their fear of an intruder has grown in the past twelve months, amidst mounting suggestions from experts that the recession is spawning a new generation of criminals. Those residing in the East Midlands and East Anglia are most affected, with a massive 35 percent of people anxious about rising levels of crime in their areas.
But despite acknowledging their properties are at risk, millions of homes still lack even the most basic security devices. A third of Briton¹s front doors have ineffective locks, while almost as many again admit to having little or no home insurance. What¹s more, one of the most effective burglar deterrents, the burglar alarm, is present on only three out of every ten homes on the average British street.
MORE TH>N spokesman, Pete Markey, commented: "The last thing Britain needs at the moment is something else to worry about, but it's no wonder that people are growing more aware of the threats they face on a daily basis. But rather than focussing on the negatives, Brits need to take the initiative and do all they can to ensure their homes are protected."
"Obviously we'd urge everyone to have a think about what home security measures they can put in place, but the most important thing to do is make sure your home insurance is up to date and covers all your possessions. That way, at least if the worst happens you wont be left to pick up the pieces on your own."
MORE TH>N has issued the following security tips to help prevent burglary:
- Front and back doors must be secure: if replacing locks, choose those that conform to British Standard 3621 or with a minimum of five levers the better the lock the harder it will be for an intruder to make their way in.
- Consider fixing a chain or bar to your front and rear doors, if you don't already have them.
- Solid timber doors are the safest, as oppose to weak hollow-core doors
- It's of utmost importance to lock all doors and windows when going out even if just popping round to the corner shop if there is no forced entry, your home insurer will be unlikely to pay out.
- You should also lock doors when you're in the home, especially at night.
- Don't leave keys in shelves or on tables near the door burglars will often reach through the letterbox.
- Around a third of burglars get in through the windows; if you don't already have window locks, think about fitting them especially for windows that are easily accessible or close to ground level.
- Never leave a spare set of keys outside, burglars know all the hiding spots, instead, leave keys with a trusted friend.
- Lock your side gate to prevent easy access to the back of your house where burglars will be out of sight from the street.
- Make sure you have a lock on garden sheds, particularly if they contain garden tools as these could aid a burglars entry to the property.
- Outdoor lighting can give burglars less places to hide, the best to use is high-efficiency, low energy lighting that is turns on from dusk until dawn.
- Beware of the dog! The thought of a barking dog can be enough to put off burglars, even if you don¹t own one, think about putting up a 'Beware' sign.
- Intruder alarms can be a good way of protecting your home, ensure that they are always activated when the home is unoccupied
- Make sure your home contents insurance is up to date, and that you're insured for the correct amount. Many insurers require a notification of high-value items in the home.