Know your neighbours

How good neighbours can help make your home safer

Australians are a neighbourly bunch, but more than one in eight confess they'd be more comfortable going away on holiday if they knew their neighbours better, according to new research by QBE Insurance Australia.

"We commissioned this research to highlight some of the additional measures Australians can take to further improve the security of their homes, especially during the summer holidays, historically a peak time for home break- ins," said QBE Insurance Australia national home and contents portfolio manager Grant Pearce.

"Of course, locking doors and windows and ensuring valuables are out of sight should be key steps in all pre-holiday security regimes, but the humble neighbour can also play an important and powerful role in making our communities and neighbourhoods safer for all."

Communities are key to making our neighbourhoods safe. "This research helps us better understand how we as a community can work together to keep our homes safe."

Neighbourhood Watch agrees and have recently launched a free app to make connecting with neighbours even easier.

Ingrid Stonhill, CEO Neighbourhood Watch Australasia, said: "In our experience, having the neighbours on side directly helps improve the safety of your local area.

"Knowing that someone is watching your property while you are away will give you peace of mind, so why not use the festive season as an excuse to introduce yourself before you travel. We've also launched a free app to make connecting with your neighbours even easier."

Read more about QBE Insurance Australia's research into neighbours.