Two thirds of households worried about winter security

Which? Trusted Traders polled more than 2,000 members of the public about their attitude to safety ahead of the clocks going back this weekend and found that 70 per cent of them were worried about home security issues.

The survey found that as the nights grow longer a quarter (26 per cent) will leave an interior light on to make the house look occupied even when it isn’t. One in seven said they would set timer switches on lamps before heading out but only ten per cent would bother with an exterior light to deter burglars.

Raj Kakar-Clayton, Which? Trusted Trader said: “As the days get shorter and the nights draw in, it is important that you feel safe in your home.

“Outdoor lights are a good way to ensure a burglar is more visible, which may help to put them off. Make sure your lighting is installed by an experienced electrician who can plan where it will be most effective outside your home.”

Which? also offered some basic advice to protect your home from burglars this winter:

Ask yourself if it is obvious when you are on holiday or away from home. If it is then make small changes such as leaving a car in an obvious place. Timers can be used to turn lights on and off around the home, as well as TVs and/or radios - they cost as little as £5.

For further security install a burglar alarm, motion sensors and CCTV cameras.

Make sure that your burglar alarm is visible from outside your house. You can also get fake burglar alarm boxes if you can’t afford to get a full alarm system fitted.