It has advised consumers to check home or contents policies as some may be invalidated if a property is left empty for a prolonged period of time. Simon Lamble, product director at Confused said homeowners should contact their insurer to arrange extra cover if this is the case. Alternatively, arranging some extra security requirements may help make the policy valid while the property is empty.

Other precautions to take while away on holiday include informing local friends and family of your holiday dates and stopping newspaper and mild delivers. Investing in a burglar alarm is also a good idea.

Lamble adds: “Avoid advertising your holiday on Facebook. Changing your status to ‘My two week’s in Ibiza start tomorrow’ is not sensible, as your profile – including your home address – can be viewed by anyone in your network, unless you change your security settings. It is important to be vigilant when posting personal information on the web.”

In addition, leaving a descriptive answer-phone message that states you are away is an obvious mistake, according to Lamble. “Lowering the sound of your telephone ring so that it cannot be heard outside the house is also a good measure to take,” he adds.