Direct Line: Advice on reducing risk of burglary while on holiday
May 3, 2008 by admin
Filed under News, News-Insurance
Homeowners going on holiday should ask friends or neighbours to check their property and collect post to reduce the risk of burglary while they are away, Direct Line has said.
Andrew Lowe, head of Direct Line home insurance, advises people to take a number of “simple measures” such as making sure their valuables are hidden out of sight and the curtains are drawn before setting off on holiday.
Leaving valuable items where they can be seen can cause serious problems warns Mr Lowe: “People should make sure they don’t leave credit cards, keys and personal documents out in the open as replacing these items is often difficult and can also result in ID theft.”
He also highlighted the importance of having the right locks fitted to doors and windows, saying that key-operated window locks and five-lever mortice door locks are a good option.
A professionally fitted and maintained burglar alarm and lights which illuminate potential entry-points can also help to reduce the likelihood of a property being burgled.
Homeowners will be pleased that burglaries in England and Wales have fallen by 59 per cent between 1995 and 2006/7 from 1.77 million to 726,000, according to the Home Office.
