Four out of five homeowners are far less security conscious during the warm weather as a result of trying to keep cool, according to new research.

A survey by Tesco home insurance found that at least 50 per cent of people know the risks they are taking in their attempts to cool down but their actions are an open invitation for the UK's burglars.

Nearly a third of respondents said they leave an upstairs window permanently open, 20 per cent owned up to leaving patio doors unlocked all day and two per cent leave their front door open all night.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, one in ten homeowners surveyed had been burgled during the summer months.

"Regardless of whether people are at home or not, they should take all the sensible precautions to make their property safe," advised Allan Burns, head of Tesco home insurance.

"Every home insurer expects people to take every reasonable and sensible precaution to protect their property, which is why they all could reject claims if doors and windows have been left open."

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