Everest Home Improvements Reveal Most Common Home Security Mistakes

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Everest Home Improvements

08 Oct, 2014, 07:00 GMT

LONDON, October 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

New research from Everest Home Improvements highlights that over half of Brits have gone out locally and forgotten to close and lock their windows and doors, despite being the most likely access points for break-ins.

As Home Security Month kicks off this week, Everest is calling on people to take greater care when locking up, with a 20 per cent* increase in home burglaries during the darker months. Everest found that as many as 1.25 million UK households have no home security at all and with one in five being victims of burglary, evidence shows that Brits can do more to keep their possessions safe.

Even Guy Fawkes Night, an infamous time for burglars to emerge, will not encourage many to take extra care as nearly 20 per cent (19 per cent) say that they won't put any extra home security in place when going out to celebrate the event. Nearly 60 per cent (58 per cent) thought that turning a hall light on was a sufficient security measure for Guy Fawkes Night, but as the greatest spike in break-ins occurs between midnight and 1am, this would indicate that burglars aren't always deterred by people being in the house.

For the majority of people - 84 per cent - Everest found that locks on windows and doors are the main home security in place, while over a quarter (26 per cent) rely on their dogs as a burglar deterrent. Women are the least security conscious of the two sexes and 25-34 year olds as the most likely victims this winter, according to statistics.

Jill McLintock, Product Manager of Everest, says:

"As winter sets in, people's homes are increasingly at risk of crime and our research underlines that many people could be doing more to prevent possible break-ins. Everest supports Home Security Month because it's essential that people lock their doors and windows when they go out, particularly over high-risk periods such as Guy Fawkes. Many burglars often avoid smashing windows but attempt to force the frame itself, so households must ensure all windows are fitted properly and are safe."

Notes to Editors 

Research: 1,000 UK adults were surveyed by Aurora Market Research Omnibus.

The survey was conducted between 8th and 12th September.

For more information on Everest's home security range, visit http://www.everest.co.uk/security/. Follow us on twitter @EverestHome and Facebook or call 0800-008-7140.