All of us want our homes to be as secure as possible and across the country properties are often rigged up with the latest alarms, locks and fences to deter prospective criminals.
However, we Brits often neglect simple measures in the quest to turn our homes into a security fortress.
For example, outdoor lighting is a great way to improve safety and make life easier for ourselves in the process.
Natalie Timmerman, spokeswoman for Light IQ, explains: "Consider you are arriving home after a day at work, it can sometimes be a fumble for your
door keys and a guestimate of where the lock is if you do not have enough immediate light.
"It is highly important that a light source is available at the front door in the correct position, firstly to see your way in, and secondly to prevent unwanted callers attempting to enter your property."
Lighting can act as a deterrent by ensuring that there are no areas away from view in which to sneak in. This signals to a burglar that if they try anything they will get caught.
The best way of doing this is to install floodlights, but any lighting addition is beneficial.
However, Ms Timmerman reminds us that it is important to incorporate a facility to over-ride security floodlights when they are not required, so that any other outside lighting you may have is not spoiled.
This advice follows the release of research showing that three-quarters of adults are more worried about home and personal security during the winter months.
A study by Santander has revealed that a fifth of people are also more afraid of injury during winter, while 15 per cent are more fearful of their children coming home in the evening.
These fears may be felt more saliently by people in Leeds and London, who are the most likely to make a claim for theft or burglary on their home insurance than those in other areas of the UK.
