AtHomeWithLorraineKelly2016 - 204

SAFE

PROTECT YOUR
HOUSE AND
POSSESSIONS FROM
BREAK-INS AND
THEFT BY TAKING THE
RIGHT PRECAUTIONS

H
VEN
E

ach year in England,
there are around
400,000 burglaries,
according to the Office
for National Statistics,
which works out at one every 80
seconds or so. This makes protecting
your home from thieves critical.
Yet, despite this, many people still
make rudimentary errors when it
comes to looking after their homes.
For instance, did you know you are
six times more likely to be burgled if
you neglect to fit window locks, and
double-locks or deadlocks on all
your outside doors?
Apparently, burglars take an average
of seven seconds to decide on whether
or not to break into a house, so don't
make it easy for them. There are many
simple techniques you can use to
ensure your home is protected against
opportunist thieves, and it doesn't take
much effort on your part to keep your
possessions safe. All you need to do is
follow these simple guidelines...

LOCK IT UP

Keeping windows and doors closed
and bolted at night is an obvious
security measure, yet it's still one
many homeowners fail to do. Use the
protection you have in place - a lock is
no good if it isn't locked! Thieves often
don't need to break in - they can enter
through an open window or door.
The locks on your windows and
doors need to be up to scratch, as this
reduces your risk of being targeted by
thieves - and can lower your insurance
premium, too. Quality door locks are
essential, but must be matched by
strong doors and frames.
204 | AUGUST 2016

SET UP A DIGITAL
NETWORK

Homes without security systems are
far more likely to be broken into, which
may explain why the proportion of
households within the UK which have
burglar alarms has increased from
20% to 31% since 1991. Indeed, having
an alarm installed is one of the best
ways to avoid burglary. However,
the modest house alarm has been
upgraded in recent years, enabling
you to keep a closer eye on your
property and belongings whenever you
want and wherever you are.
As technology has developed
over time and become more mobile,
automation systems can keep your
home safe and secure, even while
you're away enjoying your summer
holiday. You can buy digital door locks
and viewers with clear screens, so you

SADLY, STOLEN ITEMS ARE
RARELY RETURNED, SO
IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE
ADEQUATE HOME AND
CONTENTS INSURANCE
can see who's standing outside your
front door, without actually having to
check who's there.
A smart house network also allows
you to have remote access to your
security system - so you can see your
home using your mobile phone. If
you have CCTV cameras installed

as part of an integrated home
automation system, you can even
speak to your visitors remotely.
This type of system can be
programmed, so if an intruder should
enter your home, the lights will come
on or flash, which may act as a very
effective deterrent.

GET IT COVERED

Sometimes, no matter how safe
your house is - and whatever
measures you take - you cannot
avoid a break-in. Sadly, stolen items
are rarely recovered or returned
to the owner, so it's important to
have adequate home and contents
insurance so the items can be replaced.
Research by insurance company
Lifesure Group (www.lifesure.co.uk)
shows 6.8 million homes are
underinsured - and this could be
because homeowners do not know
how much their contents are actually
worth. This puts them at severe risk
if there was ever a burglary or other
accident such as a fire or flood. The
answer? Take out home insurance as
soon as you can. And if you're hitting
the road this summer, Lifesure Group
offers insurance for your caravan
(touring and static).
Fellow insurance company Sagic
(www.sagic.co.uk) can cover you
against everything from smoke and
flood damage, to subsidence and
even riot commotion. Taking policies
with Sagic can also benefit your local
Salvation Army in the form of Gift Aid.
There are different policies to
choose from depending on what level
of insurance you need. Just make sure
your property's contents are covered.
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