Pound notes

Melanie Wright, sundaymirror.co.uk 18/05/2008

SAFE AT HOME?

£ MORE than half of homeowners admit to basic security lapses, such as leaving windows open when going out, according to research by Zurich Insurance. A third believe they could break into their own house - and one in 10 have actually done so, most in less than 15 minutes.

PARENTS IN NEED

£ PARENTS who once helped fund their children are now asking them for cash help, claims Scottish Widows. A savings and investment report shows that adult children give them an average £6,500 to pay off debts, buy a new car or use on living expenses.

SLEEPING ON IT

£ ONE in 10 people thinks their money would be safest under the mattress, says a report by Newcastle Building Society. Because of the credit crunch, the number of people preferring to stash their cash at home has risen from four per cent to 11 per cent nationally.

WHAT A COOK-UP

£ ONE in 10 of us has had a cooking accident copying TV chefs. Worryingly, research by insurer Esure also found that 75 per cent of us risk injury to ourselves and damage to our homes by attempting complex culinary techniques.

MOBILE WOES

£ NOT a single mobile phone network provider achieved best buy status in a customer satisfaction survey by Which? Tesco scored the best for pay-as-you-go deals and Virgin for pay-monthly options. Quality and speed of response to queries were identified as particular problems for customers.

FANS' RED ALERT

£ INSURER Direct Line is warning Chelsea and Man United fans heading to Moscow next week to take out travel cover so they are fully protected against illness or accidents, as a stay in a private hospital in Russia can cost up to £1,500 a day. Direct Line offers group discounts.

Go to www.directline.com