An insurer is warning folks planning to go away their properties unoccupied whereas they have fun the King’s coronation to be careful for thieves, after seeing a spike in claims following the Jubilee celebrations final yr.
LV= Common Insurance coverage (LV= GI) mentioned that, in keeping with its knowledge, claims for house thefts elevated by 36% in the course of the Jubilee weekend final yr in contrast with the identical interval in 2021.
Martin Milliner, claims director at LV= GI, mentioned: “Whether or not you’re heading to a avenue occasion and even jetting off on trip, it’s essential to make sure that you’re not leaving your own home as a goal to potential burglaries.
“Will probably be a busy weekend for a lot of, so keep in mind to double verify the home windows are locked and whether or not you’re anticipating any delayed deliveries, as these are the tell-tell indicators that the property is unoccupied.”
Listed here are some suggestions from LV= for conserving your own home protected:
– Whereas weekend plans for the coronation could be the subject of dialog, attempt to keep away from discussing your plans too publicly, for instance on social media, as you by no means know who could also be taking observe.
– If you’re heading out to a avenue occasion, be sure you double verify your locks earlier than leaving. If the solar is shining, keep away from leaving your home windows left open as opportunistic thieves will probably be looking out for straightforward entry into folks’s properties.
You could possibly contemplate investing in anti-snap locks. The place attainable, contemplate putting in a five-lever mortice impasse – these are locks that are embedded into the precise physique of a door, and are more durable to pressure open.
– If you’re away for the lengthy weekend, it might be price asking a trusted one who lives domestically to park their automobile in your driveway. This could make the home seem extra “lived-in” to any spying burglar.
– Movement sensor-activated lights will be nice safety for properties as intruders could also be much less prone to attempt to break in if your own home and backyard is lit up for all to see. Be sure that any exterior lighting you do match is excessive up and out of attain, so it can’t be tampered with simply while you’re away.
– If you’re anticipating a supply in the course of the lengthy weekend however you aren’t going to be in, contemplate attempting to cancel or postpone the supply or have it delivered to a neighbour as an alternative. Parcels left in “protected areas” could also be stolen and so they might also point out to to a thief that the home has been left empty.