Soaring temperatures in the UK this week have resulted in Brits turning their fans on full blast, or the air conditioning for the minority of people lucky enough to have it.
And for many of us, the first thing we do is to fling open the windows to try and get some cool air circulating.
But beware…and make sure you think about the risks this poses as it can invalidate home insurance.
Nat White, head of brand communications at Rated People – a website which connects its users with tradespeople – said: “Many people open their windows and doors to cool their homes down when it’s hot.
“Not only will this leave homes vulnerable to opportunistic thieves, but if you are unlucky enough to experience a burglary, your insurance company may refuse to pay out.”
According to the site, there were more than 191,000 recorded residential burglaries in 2022 and homes across the country could be even more vulnerable to theft if intruders have a way into the property without forcing entry.
Nat said: “When it comes to home insurance policies covering break-ins, some homeowners might find themselves in a position where they’re unable to claim back the cost of their stolen goods if the insurance company finds there were no signs of forced entry.
“This could potentially leave homeowners thousands of pounds out of pocket and it could be very distressing.
“It’s understandable that with the warmer weather, homeowners will be tempted to leave doors or windows open to help cool down their homes.
“But this could make it easier for an intruder to get in, whether that’s through an open window, an open or unlocked door, or even an unlocked garage door.
“So, we advise homeowners to do a proper check of their homes to make sure all windows and doors are secure.”
The site also offered some security tips to keep in mind during the warmer weather.
They warned not to leave patio or back doors wide open when working from home, install a security camera and when you leave your property keep doors and windows locked.
Nat added: “If you do leave your home for any reason, even if it’s just to pop to the shop around the corner, or to take the dog out for a quick walk around the block, it’s best to make sure you lock your doors and shut your windows as you don’t know who might be trying their luck.”
The weather is set to cool down across the UK tomorrow – going from a high of 31C in London today (Sunday, September 10) to 27C on Monday.
