Clocks going back leads to increase in risk of theft.

It’s that time of year when we put the clock back an hour to GMT.   With dusk drawing in an hour earlier, homes and gardens need that extra bit of attention to remain secure to avoid property insurance claims.

This triggers an increase in burglaries so it is worth locking valuable items away wherever possible and investing in extra security, such as lights and alarms, to deter burglars. Timer switches for indoor lights are also a good idea to help reduce property insurance claims, as long as people remember to activate them when going out.

Five lever mortise deadlocks are must for doors, along with good quality locks for windows. Finally, criminals posing as bogus callers are not foiled by any of the above and checking photo ID can be a waste of time with a sophisticated operator.

Use these ideas to help reduce your property insurance claims