Homeowners Warned To Protect Property While Away
There are a wide variety of changes that people heading off on vacation can make to their holiday routine in order to reduce the risk of burglary, it has been claimed.
Insurance firm Direct Line has stated that a number of amendments to pre-holiday checks can drastically reduce the risk of a costly break-in. For example, getting friends and neighbours to check the property regularly can deter would-be thieves, as anyone observing the house will notice differences that suggest occupancy. Additionally, getting someone to collect the mail will prevent it from building up - often a tell-tale sign that the property may not be in use.
Those who have learned the hard way that properties need to be kept under watch when the owners are away could find that a personal loan assists them to purchase items lost through theft - for example TVs and other electronic equipment. A cheap loan can help to spread the cost associated with replacing such items over a set period, and with a set amount of interest payable.
Andrew Lowe, head of Direct Line home insurance, gave further tips, saying: “Curtains should be drawn and valuables placed out of sight. If you are a member of the neighbourhood watch, you should inform your fellow members and neighbours that you will be away.” He went on to emphasise the importance of having appropriate locks fitted on doors and windows. Getting such security devices professionally fitted is likely to frustrate the attempts of opportunistic thieves attempting to steal anything on display within a home.
Mr Lowe continued: “Ideally, homeowners should have a professionally fitted and maintained burglar alarm, key-operated window locks and five-lever mortise door locks as well as adequate outdoor lighting to illuminate potential points of entry. Research shows that burglars are most likely to enter through ground level rear doors or unlocked windows.”
While security is not always cheap, the cost can be met with an unsecured loan and fitting devices can provide the peace of mind needed to allow for a relaxed break. Additionally, Mr Lowe observed that should locks be damaged by a burglar attempting entry, most insurers will cover the cost of their repair, making such home alterations a sustainable investment.
The news follows research conducted earlier this year by Ensleigh Insurance that indicated the cities where home break-ins were most common were Nottingham, London and Bristol. In contrast, Guilford, Dundee and Norwich were the cities in which homeowners could be most confident of avoiding such crime.
While consumers may be more likely to be leaving their home unoccupied for extended periods over the summer, this is not the only time of year when using a UK loan to improve security is appropriate. Shortly before Christmas, Zurich Insurance warned homeowners that the rapid increase in the value of home contents over the Christmas period made it an attractive time for thieves, especially with people spending more time out of the house socialising and leaving discarded boxes outside the home, advertising the property’s new contents.
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