When do the clocks go back? What it means for you
The last Sunday night of October will see our days begin to shorten as we race towards the festive season. This year, on 25 October, eight weeks before Christmas, the clocks go back one hour at 2am.
This may mean that we get the benefit of an extra hour's sleep on Saturday night - Sunday morning, but there are also some risks attached to this time of year.
As the nights begin to draw in earlier each day, there's more and more risk to the security of your home. With family staying and Christmas gifts on show, it's important to make sure you're properly protected.
According to MoneySuperMarket, one in five people have been burgled in their current homes or previous properties.
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As many as a quarter of people admitted to accidentally leaving their windows or doors unlocked, significantly increasing their chances of having things stolen.
As many as 1.6 million Brits have also confessed that they leave a spare key in obvious locations including under the doormat or in a nearby plant pot.
However, more than a third of people who had previously been burgled had also upped their security measures since they were broken into. Adding more locks to door and windows, keeping windows shut at night and keeping possessions out of plain sight were all techniques used to increase security.
The research also revealed that 18 to 34 year olds were the least security conscious, with many sharing travel plans on social media and therefore highlighting when they will be out of the house.
A MoneySuperMarket spokesman said: "As the winter nights draw in it's crucial to protect your home properly against opportunistic thieves. There are simple things you can do to make sure your home is secure and reduce the chance of getting burgled; make sure doors and windows are locked, never stash your house keys in a plant pot or under the doormat - these are the first places a burglar will check - and ensure you have a burglar alarm fitted to your property."
More on AOL Money:
Top 10 items targeted by burglars
The man who was burgled 20 times - and turned to desperate measures
Seven mistakes that raise the risk of theft
