The 10 ways to stop burglars invading your home

WATCH out, there are home invaders about, with 527 burglaries every day, more than half of which happen when there are people in the house.

One in five burglaries occur when villains access your property through an unlocked door, according to research for We Buy Any Home, and the number of burglaries leaps ten per cent in the summer holidays.

Michael Fraser, who featured on the BBC’s Beat The Burglar says: “It’s easier to leave the back door open when kids are in the garden during the school holidays, but burglars only need a second to dart in and your handbag will be gone.

“While you’re wondering where you put your handbag, they’re using your credit card and cloning your identity.

"So please, lock the door.”

Today, Michael tells Fab Daily’s Kirsten Jones his ten commandments to keep thieves out of your house.

IF a burglar spies a super-clean house with everything in its place, the chances are there’s no one home – so confusing them is key.

“Burglars are opportunists and won’t waste time second guessing whether you’re at home or not,” says Michael.

“Putting a vacuum cleaner in the middle of the living room, or resting a mop against a table will confuse them.

"They will think someone is in. It’s too risky.

"But some savvy thieves will knock on the door to make sure – so it’s best to have some extra ideas up your sleeve.”

A GROCERY bag left by the door is like offering a massive shopping basket to thieves.

Hide it, or you’ll help them out.

Michael says: “Burglars look for small items they can grab and dash for the door.

“However if they spot a ‘bag for life’, they will happily browse around your home like a supermarket shopper and use the bag like a basket to fill up with your treasures.”

The simple solution is to store them away.

“Don’t tempt them to take your possessions,” Michael says.

“Put all your bags out of sight in a drawer or cupboard.”

IF you lost your house key while you were out and about, how would you get back inside your property?

Everybody has a back-up plan, and ­burglars already know it.

“A burglar will spot a weak spot within 30 seconds, so you have to think like they do,” says Michael.

“They look for the easiest option – and you can’t let them.

“That dodgy bathroom window might be your ­saviour when you lose the keys, but it will cost you much more than a locksmith if a ­burglar gets inside your home.

"Get it fixed.”

KIDS love hide-and-seek in the garden, but don’t let it aid thieves.

“Never block the front of your property,” says Michael.

“Keep hedges low so burglars have no­where to hide. Keep bushes pruned.

"An untidy hedge tells burglars you’re untidy and make mistakes.

“If there’s a weak spot at your property, they’ll find a way in.”

Another good idea is to plant small prickly plants.

“If they get scratched by a rose bush or other thorny plants, that tiny drop of blood is evidence that the police will find,” says Michael.

“Plant your prickles along your fence line and around windows to keep burglars at bay.”

UNLESS they have invented the hover board, a noisy driveway means there is no way a burglar can get to your house without you hearing them.

“Loose stone or gravel is the perfect deterrent against sneaky thieves,” says Michael.

“No one can mistake the crunching sound of footsteps on a gravel driveway, and it’s natural to peek out and see who’s coming.

“Being seen is a no-no for burglars, so they will avoid your house like the plague.”

LIGHTING up your window like a Christmas tree is like advertising free toys to children.

“Wide-open curtains and sparkly trinkets in the window are a big beacon for burglars,” says Michael.

“It shows what’s up for grabs, and also tells them you’ve let security slip.

"To block their view, invest in blinds, and close them in an upward position – you can see out, but they can’t see in.”

OUTDOOR motion lights are a surefire way to startle criminals and make them scarper – providing you don’t blind the next- door neighbours.

Michael says: “The trick with movement lights is to keep the beam at least three feet off the ground.

"That way it won’t turn on every time a fox or hedgehog wanders across the lawn.

“Darkness is a burglar’s friend so if you take it away, they will take off.”

IF you thought the threat of a big barking dog would deter a burglar, think again – they’ll see your house as up for grabs.

“Never, ever put pet signs in the window,” says Michael.

“‘Beware of the dog’ tells the whole neighbourhood you don’t have a house alarm, and burglars will snoop around without worry.

"Don’t advertise your cat either – they’ll look for the cat flap and find a way inside.”

HEADING on holiday? If you’re away for a week or more, mow the grass before you head off.

“An untidy lawn tells burglars you’ve gone away and makes for an easy raid,” says Michael.

“Trim bushes and mow the lawn ahead of your holiday to make it seem like someone’s in.

"And don’t tell people you’re away on your social sites.

"Burglars will spot the date on your post and swoop.”

WHILE advertising your fake dog is a definite no-no, there’s nothing wrong with shouting about your security.

Michael says: “Grandparents often slap security stickers in the window, warning burglars about Neighbourhood Watch – and they might be safer than you are.

“It’s an extra deterrent that makes potential raiders wonder ‘who’s watching?’”