Holidaymakers '˜fear break-ins' while away

The fear of a burglary or an emergency such as a burst pipe beats concern about work (62 per cent) and falling ill (38 per cent) as top holiday dreads.

Two in three (65 per cent) say they phone family or friends to check on their property while they are away.

Over four in ten (42 per cent) think they have not locked the front door or left a window open while a third (32 per cent) get anxious that they have left an appliance or electrical device switched on, according to a study for smart home system provider LightwaveRF.

The report comes as police forces around the UK launch campaigns to urge householders to be more security conscious and not post messages and photos on social media while on holiday which reveal their home is empty.

Almost one in five (18 per cent) admit to using social media when enjoying a break.

Home Office figures reveal a 10 per cent rise in burglaries during the summer months and a 40 per cent rise in thefts from garden sheds and garages.

According to the English Housing Survey, just 30 per cent of households have some form of alarm fitted, though just four per cent have it professionally monitored and more than half (57 per cent) admit to spending nothing on protecting their home.

Some 45 per cent of consumers say they leave lights on a timer to give the impression someone is at home though one in five admit to doing nothing.

Research for LightwaveRF shows that over half of property owners see smart home technology as having a major impact in providing better comfort in their homes with 55 per cent saying it would mean improved security and 53 per cent more convenience in using energy and lighting.

Homes fitted with smart controls that allow heating, lighting or security to be organised from a mobile phone app are predicted to more than treble over the next four years.

Already two million houses and flats in the UK have gadgets installed that allow consumers to run their properties more efficiently and industry research predicts as many as one in four people, some eight million, will be using smart technology by 2020.

John Shermer, founder of LightwaveRF said: “Increasingly consumers understand there is technology available that can give them peace of mind, especially when it comes to security and safety.

“They want to know that everything is alright at home and this technology means they can keep a better eye on their home.

“Such preventative measures are well-priced and easy to install, it is small purchases like this that could take away the worry when people are away.”

LightwaveRF Dimmers are designed to be fitted quickly and easily, the clever devices connect to a free App enabling you to set your lights to turn on and off at random whilst you are away during the evening or on holiday.

With the LightwaveRF LW821 innovative In-line Relay you can set your curtains to open and close on a timer or operate them at random, remotely to give the illusion of simulated occupancy to deter burglars.

With LightwaveRF’s affordable smart home solutions you can relax and enjoy being in complete wherever you are.

With the UK’s fastest growing provider, LightwaveRF you can enjoy all the benefits of a seamless, wireless system at a price you can afford.

For enlightening security solutions through to cost saving energy saving ideas visit www.lightwaveRF.com.

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