SECURITY experts at Yale are reminding householders to protect their property from burglars, especially if they are planning to travel on holiday.

According to recent figures, 16 per cent of home owners do not bother to lock their doors and windows when they go out, and 70 per cent do not have a burglar alarm.

Yale has compiled these tips to help protect homes and outbuildings from intruders.

- Keep those windows and doors shut.

An open door or window is one of the easiest ways for domestic burglars to get hold of your valuables, with one in three entering a property through an open window, according to This Is Money 2016. Yale suggests shutting and locking windows when you leave the room, making sure they have at least one appropriate, key-operated lock. Don’t forget to also secure them at night as this is when burglars think it’s safe to strike.

- Upgrade your security standards

Ensure that external timber doors are secured with a mortice lock and/or night latch that meets British Standard BS3621. Similarly, if you have a uPVC or composite door, you could also consider upgrading to a British Standard TS007 Kitemarked model.

- Protect the shed

One in seven UK homes a year experience a theft from the garden. The average shed is said to have contents worth around £2,000, and they tend to be supplied with minimal or no door security. Yale recommends fitting a maximum-strength padlock (rating 7-10) to withstand the great British weather and protect against theft. Anchors and cables could also be used to secure expensive items such as bikes and lawnmowers.

- Snakes and ladders

Keep outdoor tools locked away as these can be beneficial for a burglar trying to gain access. Also, put ladders and all heavy-duty equipment out of reach, as this will not only keep you from having to pay out to replace them, but it will also help prevent the theft of other valuable items from your home and outbuildings.

For more home security tips and advice, visit www.yale.co.uk