With the bank holiday approaching, many people may be thinking about leaving their home unattended while they visit friends or travel overseas.
This can be a significant risk and Rochdale Online has reiterated advice issued by Greater Manchester Police for homeowners who are looking to minimise the threat of a break-in.
The first piece of advice was to not leave spare keys on the property - they should always be safe with neighbours or a relative.
People may find that if a criminal enters their home using lost or stolen keys, they may not be entitled to an insurance payout.
Security systems such as intruder alarms are vital. Having a pet should not prevent people from setting their alarm, as there are plenty of pet-friendly alarm systems available, while CCTV is becoming a more popular solution as systems become more affordable.
People may even want to use a domestic safe and an insurance company can offer advice on what design is most suitable.
