Some adventurers won’t be deterred by the winter weather this year, but many of us will be storing the caravan away during the colder months.
Data from the ONS revealed that 192,060 domestic burglaries were reported in the last year, with one house burgled every 164 seconds. Theft is more likely to occur in the winter than the summer as many caravan owners can’t make it to their second home during the period for various reasons. This means that many caravans are completely unattended for several months.
In the UK alone, the volume of in-use caravans is staggering. It’s estimated there are currently:
- 555,000 touring caravans
- 365,000 caravan holiday homes
- 225,000 motorhomes
With over a million leisure vehicles on the road, there’s a prime opportunity for criminals to turn a profit. We’ll be taking a look at advice from Shane Spence, owner of Sell The Caravan, who has listed some of his best tips to make sure your caravan is safe and sound throughout the coming winter.
Mark and register valuables
Starting with a simple one, make sure any valuables you have are out of sight when your caravan isn’t in use. Potential thieves will be deterred if they don’t think it’s worth the trouble to attempt a burglary.
Fit an alarm
For another proven deterrent of intruders, install an alarm in your caravan. If someone does attempt to break in, the noise will be heard all over the holiday park, forcing most to stop and flee.
Window and door locks
It may sound simple, but it’s easily overlooked in a rush to get packed up and back home. Take care to close, lock and secure any windows, doors and roof lights on your caravan when you leave it. If your static home doesn’t have double glazing, it might be wise to have window locks installed.
Choose a reputable holiday park
Put in a bit of effort to research if a site is managed, has on-site security or even a watch scheme. All of these measures have been proven to reduce the amount of caravan-related crime, so it’s worth investing a bit of time and choosing a reliable holiday park.
Protect your belongings with insurance
Taking out a strong insurance policy is recommended when it comes to safeguarding your property. Not only does it offer you peace of mind, but if a thief did manage to steal items, you’ll be covered.
Pack outdoor furniture away
Leaving any furniture outside when nobody is there to watch it is a risk, although can easily be forgotten. Another simple way to keep everything safe is to pack it inside your home and lock it away before you leave.
Network
Whether you’re a social butterfly or an introvert, getting to know your neighbours and other people at your holiday park can be a blessing. They’ll be more likely to watch out for you and your property, keeping an eye on your home while you’re not there and letting you know if something’s not right.
Image credit: Yulia Gadalina / Unsplash
