Yorkshire folk 'help' burglars get in to their homes

People across Yorkshire are putting their property at risk of being burgled by being careless on social media, and with general security.

Research by home security experts UAP found that nearly a quarter (23 per cent) of Yorkshire homeowners who have been on holiday and are on social media, posted about being away without realising they had publicised the fact that their house was empty.

Surprisingly, over half of homeowners in this region said they do not lock the doors to their home when gardening or involved in an activity nearby, in the survey by OnePoll.

It was also revealed that 61 per cent of home owners have no idea of the brand of locks on their external doors, while over half are unsure of what type of lock they have.

Home security expert Barry Haplin, from UAP, supplier of door hardware and security products, said: “With so many people away from home on holiday at this time of year, it can be an ideal time for burglars to strike.

"To avoid nasty surprises, homeowners need to make sure they are doing all they can to protect their property – and this includes thinking about how they share news of when their house will be empty.

“It is also alarming that so many people are unaware of the type and brand of locks on external doors. I would urge homeowners to pay more attention to this crucial element of home security and consider upgrading their locks to the latest products that meet the highest security standards.”

The firm has five top tips for homeowners to help keep their homes safe:

Secure your door - a burglar will look for the quickest and easiest way to get in. Burglars will use various methods to gain entry to your home through manipulating your lock. If your cylinder has no additional security features, it can take just seconds to break into your home. The cylinder is the part of the lock that your key goes in to. Check to see whether your cylinder has a BSI Kitemark.

Don't hide spare keys - don’t risk putting a spare key under a door mat or plant pot. Leave your spare key, as well as any alarm codes, with a trusted neighbour or friend to check on your home while you’re away.

Make it look like you are at home - a pile of unopened letters, curtains open and lights turned off are a clear sign to the opportunist burglar that you’re away. Having a neighbour or nearby relative draw your curtains or blinds is a great deterrent, as is a well-lit house, so fool the burglar using timer light switches.

Hide valuables - before going away from home, make your property less appealing by hiding valuables and car keys from the view of passers-by. A home safe is also worth considering.

And always think before you tweet or post - burglars keep watch for signs of an empty property, and social media posts can provide them with information. Save uploading your holiday snaps until you get home or check your privacy settings to control who can see your posts. Above all, think before you press post!