By Lana Clements

The coming year looks to bring much excitement and celebration across the country in the form of the Olympics, Euro 2012 and the Queen's Jubilee. This will result in 2012 being the "year of risk" for households.

According to home insurance provider AXA, the extra bank holiday is expected to give rise to opportunities for burglars to strike. During the August Bank Holiday last year, theft claims reported to the insurer increased by nearly a quarter.

Research by the firm also showed that over a third of people heading out to celebrate any of the major events will advertise their empty home by talking about it on social networks.

The on-going squeezed economy is also expected to carry on contributing to an increase in burglary; theft or attempted theft rose from 12% from 2009 to 2010 and continued to rise during 2011.

Meanwhile, the increase in get-togethers is expected to also mean more property damage, as data shows claims rise by up to 78% when parties take place in the home.

AXA's head of household claims Christine Matthews says: "Homeowners need to make sure more than ever that they get their house in order this year. This includes making sure they take precautions against theft.

"Around 20% of homeowners have no contents insurance leaving themselves very vulnerable in the face of a year of very real increased risk."

He goes on to add that the firm "sincerely hopes" the forecasts turn out to be wrong, "but we would urge people everywhere across the UK to think about what they can do to avoid the stress and potential financial loss of a burglary or accident around the home".