Brits warned to unplug one household device before going on holiday

With August set to be the peak month for Britons heading overseas, UK households are being warned to take steps to safeguard their properties. Before departing on holiday, specialists atMoneySuperMarketare recommending people follow seven straightforward measures to ensure their homereceives optimal protection.

With one in five UK homes now facing flood risk and the peak number of break-ins in England and Wales taking place between July and September last year, there are particular basic yet essential precautions you can take to avoid this. This can be done by disconnecting electrical devices to fastening bins and taking away magnifying mirrors.

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These simple measures will help keep your property secure and provide reassurance whilst you're absent, reports the Manchester Evening News.

"If you return home to find your home burgled or damaged by flooding, it's important to report the incident to your insurance provider as soon as possible," advised Kara Gammell, insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket.

"To help prevent an insurance claim from being denied, make sure your contents insurance is up to date, reflecting the value of your belongings. It's also advisable to avoid leaving spare keys in obvious places, like under the doormat and ensure you have working smoke alarms throughout your home."

Seven steps to follow before going on holiday Disconnect extension leads

"Electrical fires are one of the most common causes of house fires in the UK, especially when you're away on holiday. Daisy-chaining extension leads, ageing wiring, or leaving appliances on standby can all pose serious risks," Kara warned.

"Before you lock up, take a few minutes to unplug anything non-essential and make sure that extension leads aren't overloaded, and are turned off where possible."

Keep your calendar out of sight

Kara explained: "Leaving a calendar with your holiday dates on display near a window could make your home an easy target - a thief only needs to take a quick photo and zoom in to know exactly when your house will be empty. In general, it's best to keep your calendar out of sight to prevent opportunistic thieves from taking advantage."

Don't leave electronics on charge and check batteries

"Lithium-ion batteries can be found in most rechargeable devices, such as e-bikes, vaping devices, power banks and smart watches. If left charging unattended, particularly with cheap chargers bought online, they can overheat and cause fires," Kara said.

"Electronics that use lithium-ion batteries should always be stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and flammable materials. Do not leave electronics to charge when you are away and always look out for warning signs of a failing battery - which includes bulging or swelling and being hot to the touch."

The expert continued: "Never throw devices with lithium-ion batteries in the bin or your standard recycling bins. If crushed or damaged, these batteries can ignite and cause dangerous fires. Instead, you can safely dispose of your batteries and rechargeable electronics at local household waste recycling centres."

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Magnifying mirrors

"Fires caused by sunlight reflecting off everyday items like magnifying mirrors, glass ornaments or mirrored trays are more common than you might think - especially in summer," Kara noted.

"When left near windows, these objects can concentrate sunlight and ignite curtains, furniture or even carpets. Before heading off on holiday, do a quick sweep to move anything reflective out of direct sunlight. It only takes a minute, but could prevent devastating damage," she continued.

Be flood aware

Homeowners whose properties have previously flooded pay twice as much for insurance compared to those that have never been flooded, according to new analysis from MoneySuperMarket.

"There's a common misconception that you're only at risk from floods if you live beside the water, when in fact, a quarter of flooding occurs in areas that are formally designated as being outside of flood risk zones," Kara pointed out.

"Ensure your home insurance covers flood damage, that you have your policy details readily available and register for free flood warnings from the Met Office or your local council to receive alerts about potential flooding – when you're at home or on holiday."

Guard against leaks

She warned: "Escape of water is the most common home insurance claim cause in the UK - and it's not just about burst pipes during a cold snap."

"Don't ignore slow leaks from toilets, washing machines or taps; what seems like a small issue now can quickly turn into a full-blown insurance claim later. If you're heading off on holiday, it's worth turning off your water at the stopcock to reduce the risk entirely."

Tidy up clutter

Kara continued: "Rats can gnaw through almost anything, and there's nothing they love more than an empty, quiet house. If you've left food scraps in bins or crumbs under the sofa, or in your car - they'll move in fast and can do a surprising amount of damage."

"To protect your property, clear away clutter, trim overgrown plants, seal up gaps or holes, and keep bins tightly shut and clean to avoid attracting rodents."

As explained by Waste Managed, bins should get deep cleaned at least once a month to eliminate any odours and visible dirt that can attract pests seeking food to enter your home. Especially when going abroad for more than just a couple of days, it's recommended to empty the bins and wipe them.