Lock It or Lose It - Home Insurance
The nationwide survey1 found that a significant three-in-ten (31%) still do not have deadlocks on their external doors and a similar proportion (34%) do without window locks. According to AAMI Corporate Affairs Manager Yves Noldus that oversight is an invitation to crime. "With approximately 250,000 Australian households becoming the victim of a break-in each year2, people really shouldn’t be making things even easier for burglars by leaving doors and windows unsecured," he said. And those who do have the necessary locks, often forget to use them, AAMI’s research indicates. One-in-five (20%) say deadlocks are not always used and one-in-four (24%) fail to lock their windows. One-in-three (32%) openly admit they intentionally leave the front or back doors open despite being aware that this is probably not the smartest thing to do. "Unfortunately, these days we can’t take such risks anymore," Mr Noldus warned. "Particularly in summer, people are leaving the front door unlocked, with only a fragile screen door as protection and the alarm off, while they cool down in the back yard. In many cases, windows are left open for fresh air and to combat the summer heat, even when residents are out. "It is very easy in those circumstances for an opportunistic burglar to quickly storm inside, grab whatever is in reach and make a quick escape. With people routinely leaving their car keys in plain sight, often near the door, that could mean the family car is gone too." But the risk taking doesn’t stop with absent locks, forgetfulness and negligence: a stunning one-in-five (18%) admit they have conveniently left house keys under places like doormats and pot plants, somehow believing burglars won’t look in these obvious spots. "Putting all these findings together it would appear that few Australians actually lock their doors and windows without putting their keys on a platter for any passing stranger," Mr Noldus said. "Given the little cost or effort it takes to get these security basics right, it is hard to understand why we choose to run the risk of losing valuables or, worse still, find ourselves confronting a burglar face-to-face," he concluded. AAMI recommends external doors and windows be kept locked as a matter of course if they cannot be constantly monitored, even when people are at home. Households should also remain aware that shutters can be easily dislodged and offer limited protection. Finally, home and car keys should be treated as valuables and not left in plain sight. Replacing all locks because keys have been grabbed from an unprotected spot can be a very costly exercise. Home insurance helps you protect your investment and to rest easy without worrying about what unforeseen circumstances may occur. Home and Contents Insurance simply makes sense for smart consumers. Disclaimer: Article submitters are solely responsible for the content of their articles. ArtiLib can't be held liable for the contents of the articles. Report Abuse | Browse By Category |
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