Seven top tips for avoiding a winter burglary

1. • Store your house and car keys in a safe place – leaving them near you front door makes life easy for you. But it’s helpful to thieves too, who can often retrieve them through a letterbox.
   • Make sure windows are locked when you go out. Even when you’re at home, don’t leave accessible windows open and valuables on display.
   • Check for any signs of tampering with your locks – burglars sometimes mark keyholes with tape to monitor whether a home is occupied.  
   • Lock away tools or ladders securely and out of sight – otherwise you could be helping someone use them to break in.
   • If you’re away for the weekend, ask a neighbour to keep an eye on your home, ensuring all post is out of sight.
   • Use light timers if you’re going to be out in the evening or going away, too.
   • Replace your locks – especially if you’ve just moved in as old locks may need updating to work efficiently. 

Read more about this story in Landlord Today.