Students are risking disaster - by leaving windows unlocked and smoke alarms unchecked.
Students are not planning to take out home contents insurance when they go off to study this September and October - and many also show strikingly lax behaviour on security.
According to new data from the Newcastle building society, 17 percent of students are passing up on the cover. This is despite over one third of the group having previously left their homes without locking the windows and 18 percent having forgotten to lock the door on one or more occasions.
Further findings from the building society show that 57 percent of students also fail to check smoke alarms, while 56 percent leave their homes with appliances such as ovens or washing machines still running. Both of these actions could potentially lead to damaged homes - and home contents insurance claims.
Wendy Lee, commercial director at Newcastle Building Society, commented: "At this time of year, students returning to university need to think about home contents insurance in order to protect their belongings.
"It is worrying to see the number of 18-24 year olds who admit to forgetful acts over a year. It stands to reason that leaving your home without locking the doors or setting the alarm creates a risk for burglary but it can also affect your home contents cover should you come to claim."
The Newcastle polled 1,990 UK adults over the course of its research.
