Here are some tips from Riverwood resident Peter Murray, owner of Stop the Burglar.

(On holiday includes a single overnight or weekend or any time your home is unoccupied).

Burglars need to make a snap decision on where & how to burgle, they look for indicators, looking at your car, doors, windows, blinds & curtains, lights, alarm, CCTV, shrubbery and an escape route. A quick decision has to be made, so make it hard for them so your home is not selected.

Leave your home looking natural.

If you have an alarm ensure it is set. An alarm will not stop them coming in but it will minimise the time they spend inside your home. If monitored contact the provider, advise of your situation to have Gardaí as first call as you will not be available.

If you have blinds, leave them at a natural opening height. It’s not natural to have your blinds fully down at 3pm. Similarly it’s not natural to have a landing light or porch light lighted mid afternoon.

If possible have a local key minder to open and close your blinds. If you have a key minder their role if the alarm is activated is to give the key to the Gardaí it’s not for them to enter your home. How would you feel if they were injured by the burglar.

Contact Án Post to have your post held at your local sorting office for delivery or collection on your return.

If possible have a car parked in your drive. It is the best visible deterrent to a would be burglar

If going by taxi to the airport, there is no need to tell the taxi driver the length of your stay away from home and in particular if you are collected from your own hall door.

There is no need to add your full name and address on a tag on your suit case/s as the official airport tag fitted is all the carrier needs.

To identify your suitcase on arrival put a coloured strap or something on the handle to make it handy to collect your bags from the baggage belt. A simple tag with your name only is enough. The official airport tag also has your name for verification it is your case.

Organise a holiday credit card with a limited € amount on it, if it is lost or stolen this will minimise your loss. Avoid bringing your standard cards, if lost or stolen having to cancel direct debits etc and spoiling your holiday. You will be amazed how small your purse or wallet will become. Much easier to manage and keep safe

If bringing cash consider splitting between the responsible persons travelling to minimise loss. Or talk to your bank about withdrawing cash from your holiday location partner bank.

Only carry basic amount of cash on your person.

Consider renting a safe at the location you are staying. Put passport/s, cash and travelling home documents in it for safe keeping.

If the key / lock fob you get for your location has an identifying tag on it specific to your apartment, consider taking if off. If you misplace the key/fob nobody will know where it belongs too. Report ASAP to hotel so new barrel may be fitted and new key/fob issued.

If travelling with children consider giving them a simple password that they can remember, if by chance they are stopped and asked to be taken back to you, they ask for the password.