Advice to homeowners in Yorkshire as research reveals impact of burglary

As temperatures rise and the summer holiday season approaches, many families will be looking forward to a carefree getaway. But with an estimated 685,000 cases of domestic burglary in 2016, leaving your home unoccupied can be a concern.

Here Dr Steffan George, managing director of the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) – the leading trade association for the locksmith industry – shares his expert advice on securing your home over the summer months to ensure you can enjoy your holiday with peace of mind.

Dr Steffan George said: “A few small changes can severely decrease the risk of break-ins, and help ensure you avoid the physical and psychological devastation of a burglary. During summer, would-be thieves will be on the lookout for unoccupied homes, so it’s important to ensure you take all the necessary precautions.”

Set up deterrents. Timer lighting systems require very little effort to operate and can work as an excellent deterrent against would-be-thieves. Simply set the lights to come on as it gets dark (around 9pm in summer), creating the impression someone is home. Another useful product is a fake TV, which works on a timer to emit multi-coloured LED lights – similar to that of a real television. They use less power than a standard lamp, so can be cost effective too. Just make sure it’s used upstairs where people can’t see it’s not real.

Before you leave the property for your holiday, check all doors and windows, including garage doors and rear entrances, making sure they are securely locked and all locks are correctly fitted and functioning. This isn’t only important for a good level of security, it’s also necessary for your insurance. An expert locksmith, such as an MLA-approved company, will be able to check your locks meet insurance requirements and upgrade them if necessary.

Avoid a build-up of newspapers and post, cancel regular deliveries and consider setting up a Royal Mail Keepsafe™ account, which holds your mail for up to 66 days and delivers it the day after you return home (more information can be found at www.royalmail.com/personal/receiving-mail/keepsafe). A build-up of mail is a clear red flag to a would-be thief.

Store valuables such as jewellery, tablets and other gadgets that could attract an opportunist thief, out of sight. Better still, lock them in a professionally specified and installed safe. A safe is also an ideal location to leave spare sets of keys – if an intruder does manage to get in, the last thing you want is for them to get their hands on access to your vehicles, garage, home or even office. Your local MLA approved locksmith can give you advice on safes suitable for your needs and can also help supply and install them in suitable and discreet locations.

Don’t forget about the exterior of your property. Timed outdoor lighting can deter a burglar as they are more likely to be spotted by neighbours, while tools, ladders or other objects can be used to break into your home, so it’s important to ensure they are stored out of sight in well-secured sheds, outhouses and garages. The noise of crunchy gravel around the house can be a great deterrent too, while spikey plants such as berberis, pyracantha or holly bushes, will make it harder for intruders to gain access.

CCTV systems, which can be remotely monitored, allow you to keep an eye on your property from wherever you are in the world via the internet. So you can check up on your property using your laptop, tablet or smartphone.

While you are away, leave a spare key with a trusted neighbour, friend or relative and ask them to pop in a couple of times a week to check your property and remove any post, you could even ask if they want to park their car on your drive. And if you are planning on taking an extended holiday, it may be worth considering turning off the water supply to avoid any potential leaks or floods.

Finally, enjoy your holiday and get some great photos, but don’t highlight it on social media while you’re away, you don’t want to be promoting the fact that your home is empty to the world.

If you do decide on additional security devices, such as safes, CCTV and outdoor lighting, make sure that they are of high quality and are professionally installed. Making these initial considerations could save you suffering later on. For a list of security products that have been independently tested visit www.soldsecure.com.

It is important that you consider your home’s security in advance of your holiday to give you enough time to make any improvements necessary. Think about conducting a security check before you go away – a local third party accredited, professional locksmith, such as an MLA member, can assist in reviewing a property’s security and can install effective security measures, to help you save money in the long-term.

To find a locksmith in your area visit the user-friendly MLA website at www.locksmiths.co.uk. To review a list of independently tested and approved security products visit the Sold Secure website at: www.soldsecure.com. Security guidelines for domestic properties can also be downloaded free of charge fromhttp://www.locksmiths.co.uk/security-advice/security-guidelines-for-domestic-dwellings/.

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