Homeowners may be able to get discounts from their home insurance providers if they carry out a few DIY home improvements to their security.
Graeme Trudgill, technical and corporate affairs executive at the British Insurance Brokers Association recommended fitting industry-approved locks.
Insurers will look favourably on homes with such security measures, he claimed. Similarly, those who install burglar alarms could get cheaper premiums.
Improvements like this will also act as a deterrent to criminals, Mr Trudgill added.
"If a burglar is walking down the road and there are a couple of houses that he is interested in, if one has got an alarm flashing away and other one hasn't, then he may well take the easy option," he explained.
The expert advised anyone installing alarms or other security measures such as locks and CCTV systems to speak to their insurance broker first.
"They will advise you on which ones will give you a discount and which ones are the best ones," he remarked.
