Remember your home security this bonfire night

Think of Bonfire Night and you conjure up happy memories of fireworks and fun, but you’re not likely to be the only one thinking gleefully of Bonfire Night festivities. It seems many burglars take advantage of the celebrations to sneak in and grab a few unattended items. That’s right; while you’re round at the neighbours having a glass of wine and oohing and aahing over the fireworks display, someone could be in your house stealing your stuff.

According to the British Insurer Association, insurance claims are likely to rise by 25 per cent in November, and all because of Bonfire Night. And government research shows that most burglars spend less than 10 minutes inside a property, so there’s plenty of time to make off with your valuables while you’re down the street.

If you’re hosting the fireworks display in your own home, burglars might think twice about nipping in, but you’ve got other things to worry about. New research shows that more than a million British homes have been damaged in the last five years because fireworks have gone astray. Bad news if it’s your home – and it won’t make you popular with the neighbours either. It seems that about two million householders have either been hurt by fireworks themselves or have a family member who has been hurt.

In spite of that, some people just aren’t being careful, with 37 per cent taking no precautions about their fireworks at all. That’s not good news for the 18 per cent of householders who are staying home for safety reasons. Many people are worried about those who throw fireworks in the street, personal safety and the safety of their pets.

With these concerns, it comes as no surprise that half of us would rather watch an organised display and 75 per cent of us think fireworks should only be used by those who know how to use them properly. Put that in your pipe and smoke it!