Summer is a great time to enjoy the longer days, warmer weather and a bit of time away – whether it’s a holiday, a day out or simply relaxing in the garden. With windows open and doors in use more often, it’s a good moment to give a little extra thought to home security and staying safe.

Many of us aren’t always sure where our responsibilities lie when it comes to home safety, or how to reduce the risks when we’re away. That’s why we’ve pulled together some practical advice – along with a reminder about home contents insurance – to help you stay protected this summer.

What steps can you take to secure your empty property?

Here are some of our top tips to ensure you stay protected this summer:

• Keep all windows and doors locked:
Make sure all doors and windows are locked whenever you leave the property. This may sound obvious, but this is the time of year when you are likely to have windows open and it only takes one forgotten open window for someone to find their way inside. It may be tempting not to bother if you think you will be gone for less than a few minutes, but ask yourself, is it worth the risk?

• Consider having an alarm installed:
The next steps are to consider installing an alarm system if you have not already. Always activate it when leaving the property and ensure you do not leave any valuables on show. Remember to check your tenancy agreement or with your landlord before installing.

• Ask neighbours to check in:
It’s nice to have someone you trust to check your property regularly; to put mail in a safe place and to generally display signs of someone in the house; opening and closing curtains, switching lights on/off and checking for visible signs of damage which might otherwise alert people to an empty house.

• Do you know your visitors?:
Never let people you do not know inside your home. Opportunists might try to lie their way into your property to determine the best access points or to create one when your back is turned. Never allow someone inside if you were not expecting them and always ask for I.D. Check their identification as thoroughly as you need to. If they are genuine, they will understand.

A little extra peace of mind

We hope these tips help you feel more prepared when spending time away from home this summer. A few simple habits – like locking windows or asking a neighbour to keep an eye out – can go a long way in keeping your home safe.

It’s also a good idea to think about whether contents insurance is right for you. It’s not something you have to take out, but many people find it reassuring to know their belongings are covered – just in case.

The My Home Contents Insurance Scheme is open to all social housing residents and offers flexible payment options to suit different budgets. You can pay fortnightly, monthly, or annually – whichever works best for you (fortnightly and monthly premiums include a transaction charge).

If you’d like to explore what’s covered or get a quote, it’s quick and easy to find more details online or speak to someone:

🖱️ Visit: www.thistlemyhome.co.uk
📞 Call: 0345 450 7288 (Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm)

Enjoy the sunshine – and feel confident knowing your home is looked after.

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The National Housing Federation working in partnership with Thistle Insurance Services Ltd.  Thistle Tenant Risks is a trading name of Thistle Insurance Services Limited.  Thistle Insurance Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority Firm Reference Number 310419. Registered in England under No. 00338645. Registered office: Rossington’s Business Park, West Carr Road, Retford, Nottinghamshire, DN22 7SW. Thistle Insurance Services Ltd is part of the PIB Group.

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