When it comes to protecting your home and your possessions, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Many burglaries happen because people aren’t taking full advantage of the security features they already have in place. Here are a few simple measures to help prevent your home from being targeted by crime.

Day-to-day considerations:

• Ensure you home has good basic security features e.g. sufficient door and window locks.
• Always lock all doors and windows when leaving the house, even if you’re just popping out.
• Consider improving the locks in your home. Ideally external doors should have 3 locking points. Deadlocks can also provide extra protection.
• Try not to leave cash or valuables on show and consider investing in a safe.
• If you lose your keys or move into a new property, it’s wise to change the locks.
• A cage attached to your letter box can prevent thieves from using it to gain entry.
• Keep keys that provide access to valuables out of sight.
• Mark valuable items with an identification-marking product or look into tagging them electronically.
• If you are suspicious of any callers make sure you check their ID.
• Make sure you have adequate contents insurance to replace stolen items should the worst happen.

Holiday considerations:

• When away on holiday, consider hiding valuables in unusual places within the house if a safe or secure location is not available.
• Light timers can give the impression of an occupied property.
• Remember to cancel milk and papers so your home doesn’t appear vacant.
• Ask a neighbour to close your curtains in the evening and give the house a quick check to make sure nothing is amiss.
• Consider getting a friend or relative to house-sit.
• Check you have up-to-date contents insurance in place before leaving.

Compare home insurance online with Tesco Compare.