While the weather is warm opportunist thieves ramp up their activity, with statistics showing May to August are the peak months for caravan burglaries.
With this in mind the security experts at Yale are sharing their top caravan security tips, so owners can keep their valuables safe and secure while they go off and explore the great outdoors.
It’s the inside that counts
Remember, it isn’t just your caravan or motorhome that is of interest to thieves, but the valuables inside it. Avoid leaving expensive items such as iPads or jewellery lying around as they provide a tempting proposition for prospective thieves.
Raise the alarm
Stand-alone alarms are ideal for protecting caravans and motorhomes as they can be placed freestanding on a shelf or fixed to a wall, and will alert you if an intruder breaks in. Each alarm can be accessorised with a remote key fob, so you can easily arm and disarm your system from a distance. Remember, it’s also a good idea if you have an alarm to display a visible sticker in your caravan or motorhome window to say that one is fitted, as this can help to discourage any potential intruders.
Travel safe
Caravans and motorhomes are often left unattended while you explore the local area and enjoy the nightlife. Yale’s handy portable travel safes are ideal for storing valuables such as passports, spending money, mobile phones or expensive jewellery. They can be attached to any fixed objects in your caravan, so you can be safe in knowledge that your items are secure.
Think bike!
If you’re travelling with bikes or outdoor equipment, make sure you keep them secure. You can do this by investing in a sturdy bike lock. Yale offers four different types of locks to choose from. For maximum protection, use two locks of different types (a D-lock and robust chain and padlock is ideal).
Remember to always lock your bicycle to something immovable - in particular, an object a bicycle cannot be lifted over and cannot be broken, cut or removed.
Make your mark
It is important to mark your valuables with an indelible ink or ultra-violet security marker. It is also worth keeping an up-to-date list of serial numbers of all the high value items in your caravan or motorhome. These two simple actions can help police identify your property and make it easier to prove ownership in court.
Save on insurance
Not only does a secure caravan give you peace of mind, it can also save you save money on your insurance premium. When looking for caravan insurance, shop around, as many companies will offer discounts for security measures such as intruder alarms, hitch locks and wheel clamps, as well as for using insurance approved security products.