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Are you 'inviting' burglars into your home?

An AA survey shows that people still leave their keys where burglars can find them – like in a garage or even in the porch.

YOU MIGHT THINK that your home is safe, but you could be inviting burglars in to make away with your valuables.

A new survey by the AA shows that some people are still leaving spare keys in very obvious places – like in a garage or garden shed.

Homes

Recent arrests by gardaí included several burglars who had stolen car keys from unsuspecting motorists by using an extendable rod through the victim’s letter box.

According to the Central Statistics office, there was a 9 per cent increase in burglaries and related offences between 2010 and 2012.

The latest AA Home Insurance poll of over 9,200 people shows that people still leave their spare house key where burglars can find it: under the mat or plant pot, in the porch or the letter box or on the door frame.

In fact, 542 of those polled said they left their spare key in a garage or garden shed.

Conor Faughnan, Director of Policy in the AA said that it is “really quite dangerous leaving your house key where it can be found by the wrong person”.

Many people polled admitted that they often had to leave out a key for their children who would be coming in late at night without one. Two of the people polled said they hid their key under the gravel of their driveway.

“I have a colleague whose German Shepherd was drugged during a burglary. You never know who might see you dig out that key from the plant pot or retrieve it from the garage, only to remember where it is when everyone is out of the house” said Faughnan. “It would be far safer to leave a spare key with a trusted friend, relative or neighbour.”

Advice

AA Home Insurance offers this advice for you to keep your home secure:

  • Get into a routine when locking your doors and windows before leaving the house or heading to bed
  • Make sure your house alarm is switched on. Many home insurance companies offer discounts to those with a house alarm
  • Make sure your outer doors are sturdy; made of solid wood or metal, a minimum of an inch thick. Your door frames should be equally as strong and should fit the door correctly
  • Fit a deadbolt lock to your home’s main exterior doors. It should be pick resistant; making it impossible for any would be burglars.
  • When no one is home, it’s worth considering leaving a light or radio on.
  • If you go on holiday remember to cancel your regular deliveries such as milk and newspapers and ask a neighbour or friend to collect any post.

Read: Guilty burglar repays stolen money after 30 years… with interest>

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46 Comments
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    Mute Martin Black
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 1:26 PM

    They are part of a contest where they are literally judged on their appearance and intellect…

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    Mute Sorcha Ní Shúilleabháin
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 1:44 PM

    @Martin Black: I think it’s a ridiculous competition but that doesn’t give the CEO the right to refer to them in the manner he did. If he wouldn’t say it to their faces he certainly shouldn’t be saying it through email.

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    Mute Misanthrope
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 1:46 PM

    @Martin Black: intellect???

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    Mute Felicity Hensen
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 3:02 PM

    @Number 20: Indeed people have; but have you ever participated in a group chain email that said desparaging things about people with whom you interactions with were on a professional basis, and where you were the head of the professional organisation?

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    Mute Felicity Hensen
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 3:14 PM

    @Number 20: “You only care when white men in positions of power do it, don’t you.” – No. I care about any person in a professional setting, especially if they are in a position of power, going on a tirade against another. It is unacceptable behaviour.

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    Mute Dell
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 3:30 PM

    @Number 20: do you believe he behaved in an unprofessional manner or not? Forget comparing him to the behaviour of people who call themselves journalists etc. Do you think it was unprofessional of the ceo to take part in this or not? And if it was ridiculously unprofessional, which I think it was, do you think there should be repercussions or not?

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    Mute Felicity Hensen
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 3:37 PM

    @Number 20: No I haven’t written a letter of complaint. I have signed petitions, and I protest with my pocket by not purchasing such publications, or visiting such websites. And that’s not a secret. It is also a different issue to the one at hand. We are talking about professionals not acting professionally. And yes, if this person had been female I would expect a similar response to the behaviour.

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    Mute Dell
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 3:48 PM

    @Number 20: no doubt you would as I am human and I tend to prefer animals to people more and more recently. But in a professional capacity if someone does something like this, there are repercussions, as there would be against me if I were to do what he did. When I was in college I did part time work in a chain store. The manager decided to have an unmerciful b**** about one of the staff to two other members of staff. He just didn’t like the guy and decided to air everything about him that he knew and some. He was reported to the regional manager and there were repercussions. I think this is basically that but it’s getting more hype because he’s the ceo of something that a lot of people have issues with already and of course it makes for great click bait.

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    Mute Sorcha Ní Shúilleabháin
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 5:17 PM

    @Number 20: Who hasn’t, but he worked with these women in a professional capacity and put his comments in writing, presumably using his work email.

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    Mute Lily Martin
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    Dec 24th 2017, 6:29 AM

    @Number 20: Aaaah, the classic “what’s the big deal, everyone’s doing it?” defence. That one never loses it’s shine, does it?

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    Mute lavbeer
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 1:33 PM

    The writer “who has since being terminated”. Harsh. Releasing information will be interesting in this latest case. Pageants will have to be banned – especially ones for kids.

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    Mute Dell
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 1:42 PM

    @lavbeer: to be honest ive always thought kids beauty pageant type contests were beyond weird.

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    Mute Dell
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 2:32 PM

    @Number 20: did I specify particular pageants? Nope, don’t believe I did. I just find them all weird. Funny that you only seem to find that one weird… I personally find them all weird..
    https://youtu.be/L1HQtUqpR-g

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    Mute Dell
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 2:34 PM

    @Number 20: oh also.. Weren’t child beauty pageants banned in France?

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    Mute Dell
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 2:42 PM

    @Number 20: no there really wasn’t, maybe you will keep that in check in future, but I doubt it.

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    Mute Dell
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 3:03 PM

    @Number 20: if I say I have a problem with child beauty type pageants, why would I make an exception because the child is in drag? A child is a child and I don’t think putting them on display in 60 tonne of make up and the feathers of half a flock of flamingos is beneficial to any child and will make them link their worth to their appearance and their ability to entertain others. I think that’s unhealthy for any child. The way you asked the question comes across like you expected me to say I thought it was OK. They are all children, they deserve childhoods.

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    Mute Dell
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 3:36 PM

    @Number 20: oh I know full well why you brought it up, and given that I’m a so called progressive in your words and I don’t encourage this behaviour, you have just proven that you know sod all about what supposed progressives are pushing and have just given an insight into your own mind. Don’t accuse me of being passive aggressive when you are the one who was on the attack in the first place, there’s a good lad.

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    Mute Dell
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 3:38 PM

    @Number 20: oh and a happy Christmas to you too.

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    Mute Dell
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 3:51 PM

    @Number 20: jeesk, you wish someone a happy Xmas and you get called rude. Go figure

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    Mute Let free speech live
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 4:03 PM

    @Dell: I find the use of Xmas instead of Christmas pretty rude and offensive myself.

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    Mute Dell
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 4:14 PM

    @Number 20: jesus wept..

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    Mute Dell
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 4:16 PM

    @Let free speech live: I’m sure you do… And I’m glad you took the time to share that with us all.

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    Mute Dell
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 4:27 PM

    @Number 20: grow up would you? You came on here with an agenda and with a preconception and you were wrong. Deal with it. Crying about me being rude is just silly at this stage. Dry your eyes up and move on for the love of whatever.

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    Mute Dell
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 5:48 PM

    @Number 20: same question to you.

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    Mute Seamus Mc Meel
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 7:23 PM

    @Number 20: Methinks you doth protest too much !

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    Mute alphanautica
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 1:41 PM

    Shame on whoever leaked the emails bringing this celebration of female empowerment into disrepute.

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    Mute Tweety McTweeter
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 1:43 PM

    @alphanautica:

    At the end of the day, they all have lovely bottoms.

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    Mute Deborah Behan
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 6:15 PM

    @alphanautica: yes I’m sure you guys only look out for women and equality.

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    Mute John Fergus
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    Dec 23rd 2017, 1:41 PM

    pretty stupid things to say in emails where there is a permanent record of what you said. The guy brought the suspension on himself.

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