UK homeowners are not paying enough attention to their home security measures, one leading insurance provider has claimed.

Legal & General said that while most Brits are now adept at installing various recommended home security features, few of us ever take the time to monitor such devices to ensure they are working correctly.

It carried out a survey which found that while 30 per cent of Brits have a security alarm in their home, more than half have never tested the device - potentially rendering it useless.

Energy efficiency and safety features are also largely been ignored, with a third of Brits never even having seen their loft insulation and one in ten of admitting they have never tested their smoke alarms - a move which literally takes seconds and yet could someone's life.

Commenting on the findings of the study, Elaine Parkes, head of technical services for Legal & General Insurance, noted: "A few simple checks could mean that our properties are safer and so avoid the need to make a claim under a household insurance policy."

The latest British Crime Survey found that about 733,000 homes in England and Wales were burgled during 2005-06.

© Adfero Ltd

Author:  Joanne McCabe

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