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<\/p>\nAS we jet off for some winter sun in the coming weeks, many homes will be empty and extra vulnerable to break ins.<\/p>\n
To make sure you really do leave all your cares at home, one former burglar has revealed how easy it is to make your home extra secure.<\/p>\n
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You might recognise Michael Fraser, but we can assure you it won't be from his mug shot.<\/p>\n
The former burglar has become a security specialistand regularly shares his tips on daytime TV.<\/p>\n
Though you might think it would cost a fortune to prevent thieves and invole high tech devices, Michael has revealed that there are many low cost ways to stop break ins.<\/p>\n
In fact, it could be as simple as moving your wheelie bin before you go on holiday.<\/p>\n
Whilst it's good to make sure the rubbish goes out before you go on a getaway, keeping your bins at the front of the house could help thieves – and terrifyingly, they wouldn't have to set foot in your home.<\/p>\n "Now, believe it or not, the burglar will always look in the wheelie bin," explained the home security expert, adding: "What he's looking for is information on you. If you've got any pamphlets in there with your name and address on, so he can clone you."<\/p>\n An easy way to prevent your bank details or other valuable information being taken is to shred up any paperwork before binning it, including Christmas cards and junk mail.<\/p>\n There is another way that criminals might use this household item though, with burglars often standing on wheelie bins to gain access to the first floor.<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Rather than investing in expensive security cameras, chaining bins together can be a great 'added deterrent' – according to the security expert.<\/p>\n There are also other simple ways to prevent your home being susceptible to burglars over the festive season.<\/p>\n Most of us draw the blinds before going away, but this won't always stop potential criminals from trying to peek in – especially if you have Venetian blinds.<\/p>\n "It is a great deterrent, but this homeowner has tilted the blinds so I can see him and I can see what I want," Michael revealed, showing just how easily he could peer into an unoccupied property.<\/p>\n He added: "Great deterrent. Just learn how to use them properly."<\/p>\n For those who have security systems installed, it's best to make this clear and add stickers to your window if possible.<\/p>\n Though they might not prevent break ins, it is a great way to deter opportunistic thieves in the area.<\/p>\n Even installing a simple letter cage can prevent burglars from targeting your home, as it makes it harder to break in.<\/p>\n Appearing on This Morning, Michael said: "It stops letter box fishing. People will push a pole through the letterbox, pick the keys up and then slid it back."<\/p>\n He also urged people to stop leaving their keys and valuable tech close to the front door, as welluse automatic timers to turn lights on when you aren't home.<\/p>\n "You can do a lamp, but try and keep it so they can't see where the lamp is coming on," he revealed.<\/p>\n His final tip: don't leave calendars within eye-sight.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/KS-cat-burglar-comp.jpg\")
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