When householders leave their homes over the festive season to visit friends or family, they could cut the security risk to their property by asking neighbours to keep an eye on it, according to a leading home insurance company.
Legal & General found that 97 per cent of people are happy to watch their neighbours' homes over Christmas, but some are more dependable than others.
Female neighbours who are older than 50 are considered to be the best ones to keep a watchful eye, research by the home insurance company suggests.
A total of 60 per cent of older people will put the rubbish out for neighbours on holiday, compared to 48 per cent of those younger than 30.
Women seem to be more willing than men to go the extra mile for their neighbours, as 83 per cent of them will tidy their neighbours' front doorstep (compared to 73 per cent of men).
More than half of women will also buy fresh produce for when their neighbours get back, compared to 38 per cent of men.
Apart from taking the necessary security precautions, householders are also being urged to ensure they have adequate home insurance and home contents insurance in place, says Legal & General.
The insurance company offers an automatic seasonal increase of ten per cent on home contents insurance during the Christmas period, free of charge, "to reduce some of the stress caused by theft", says Garry Skelton, marketing director at Legal & General's general insurance.
Watch thy neighbour, says insurance company
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Watch thy neighbour, says insurance company
Fri, 23 Dec 2005
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