Halifax Home Insurance reveals home comforts

Two-thirds of Britons are kept awake at night by burglars, but 74 per cent are made to feel safe with locks on all doors and windows, according to a new poll by Halifax Home Insurance .

Out of the common reasons for taking out home insurance, fear of burglary topped the poll, with 55 per cent of people wary of identity theft, 47 per cent of theft outside the home, 45 per cent of vandalism to property and 44 per cent of house fire .

Things that make people scared include unexpected visitors or phone calls, noise from the street and being home alone.

Apart from home insurance, the things that make people feel safe in their homes include locking all doors and windows and having a member of the family or friend in the house .

Technology also makes people feel safer, with 51 per cent admitting that a telephone or the internet can provide comfort.

Martyn Foulds, senior claims manager at Halifax Home Insurance, said: We all have our own home comforts - in many cases it's the age old methods, such as locks, lights or having a dog .

New reports by the Association of British Insurers show that home insurance claims for fires are on the increase, with damage to homes costing a collective £408 million.