With the long Winter evenings now in full effect, Donegal Gardaí have issued a reminder to homeowners on how they can keep their properties safe.
According to Gardaí, there is a rise in the number of attempted thefts in Winter due to the extended periods of darkness each day, giving thieves a wider window of opportunity.
Garda Grainne Doherty is advising homeowners to review their home security, and has a number of tips that can help keep your valuables safer.
Homeowners are advised to:
- Lock all doors and windows.
- Use an alarm even when you are in the house.
- Store keys away from windows and letterboxes.
- Don’t keep large amounts of cash in the house. If you have expensive jewellery, ensure that it is kept in a secure safe.
- Ensure that the exterior of your home is well lit up.
- Do not post to social media about any upcoming holidays/trips.
- Do notify Gardaí if your home is going to be vacant.
- Always report any suspicious activity in your area to Gardaí immediately.
Gardaí are also urging business owners to review their security measures as the Christmas season approaches.
Anyone who is seeking advice in relation to home and business security measures can contact Sergeant Fergus Mc Groary (Divisional Crime Prevention Officer) at Letterkenny Garda Station.
