Clare Gardaí have issued security advice to the public to help prevent break ins during the winter months.
Gardai have launched the winter phase of Operation Thor, which is an annual increased enforcement operation aimed at preventing burglars from exploiting reduced hours of daylight.
Homeowners in Clare are encouraged to ‘lock up and light up’, with a surge in burglaries of up to 20% to be expected in the coming months.
Seargent Edel Burke has the following security tips:
“Lock all doors and windows, make sure to check every entry point before leaving. Data shows roughly 1 in 5 burglars gain access through an unsecured door or window”.
“Light up your home by using timer switches or smart plugs so indoor and outdoor lights turn on automatically when it gets dark as historically, winter break-ins peak between 4pm and 11pm”.
“Activate your intruder alarm whenever you leave the house—and even when you are home”
“Store keys safely, keep house and car keys well away from windows, letterboxes, and front-door counters to prevent key ‘fishing’ tools or wire hooks”.
“Avoid keeping large amounts of cash or high-value jewelry at home. Record serial numbers and use the free An Garda Síochána Property App to catalogue belongings”.
