The clocks go back at the end of October and for the next five months most of us are coming home in the dark. Burglars know it too. Here is what actually makes a difference, from a team that has been fitting alarms and cameras in Kildare homes for over twenty years.
Why burglaries rise in winter
Shorter days give burglars more cover. An empty house is easy to spot when there are no lights on at 5pm, and people are more likely to be out at work or in town in the early evening. Gardaí say winter break-ins are most likely between 5pm and 9pm, particularly from Thursday to Saturday, and that around one in five happen through a door or window that was simply left unlocked.
It is why An Garda Síochána runs the winter phase of Operation Thor every year from October to March. The good news is that it works. Burglary and related offences fell by 13% in 2025 according to the CSO. But that is still more than 8,000 incidents in a year, over 20 a day, and most of them are opportunistic.
A dark house at five o’clock in the evening is an invitation. Most of what follows is about taking that invitation away.
12 things that actually work
Lock up, even when you are home
Around one in five break-ins happen through an unlocked door or window. Lock the back door and ground-floor windows as soon as it gets dark, not just when you go to bed.
Light up from dusk
A dark house is the signal a burglar looks for. Put a couple of lamps on timers or smart plugs so they switch on at dusk every evening, whether you are in or not.
Set your alarm every time you leave
Even for a quick trip to the shop. An alarm only protects you when it is armed, and an app-controlled house alarm lets you set it from your phone if you forget.
Keep keys away from doors and letterboxes
Gardaí regularly warn about “fishing”, where keys are hooked through a letterbox. Keep house and car keys out of sight and well away from the front door.
Add motion-activated outdoor lighting
Sensor lights over the front door, side passage and back garden take away the cover of darkness and make anyone approaching easy to see.
Fit visible CCTV
Cameras on the driveway and entrances are a strong deterrent, and full-colour night vision gives you clear footage after dark. See our CCTV installation options.
Secure sheds, garages and oil tanks
Heating oil theft rises in winter. Fit a lockable cap or alarm to your oil tank, and lock sheds and garages where bikes and tools are stored.
Put away ladders and tools
A ladder left in the garden is an easy route to an upstairs window. Lock tools and ladders away and do not leave bins where they can be climbed.
See who is at the door
A video doorbell or video intercom lets you see and speak to callers from your phone, so you never have to open the door to someone you do not know.
Check your alarm is working
Cold weather is hard on batteries. If your panel is beeping or showing a fault, get it serviced before the dark evenings set in.
Do not advertise that you are away
Hold off on posting holiday photos until you are home, ask a neighbour to take in post and deliveries, and put the bins out and back in for you.
Record your valuables
Photograph jewellery, electronics and bikes, note serial numbers and use the free Garda Property App. It makes recovery far more likely if the worst happens.
Before you go away for Christmas
An empty house over the holidays is the easiest target of the year. Run through this the day before you leave.
- Set the alarm and check it is sending alerts to your phone
- Put indoor lights and a radio on timers
- Lock all windows, including upstairs and the bathroom
- Lock sheds, garages, side gates and the oil tank
- Move keys, car keys and valuables out of sight
- Cancel deliveries or ask a neighbour to collect them
- Check your CCTV app is recording and alerts are on
- Leave a spare key with a trusted neighbour, never under a mat
When it is time to upgrade
If your alarm is more than ten years old, you have moved into a house with a system nobody has the codes for, or you have had a near miss, it is worth having a professional look at the house. We visit, walk the property with you and give you a written quote with no obligation. The usual starting points are a house alarm you can control from your phone, CCTV covering the driveway and rear, and electric gates if you have a long or open entrance.
Common questions
- When do burglaries happen most in winter?
- Gardaí say winter break-ins are most likely between 5pm and 9pm, particularly on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, when homes are more likely to be empty and it is already dark.
- Does a house alarm really deter burglars?
- Yes. A visible, working alarm makes your home a harder target than the house next door, and an app-controlled or monitored alarm means you know straight away if something happens.
- Should I leave lights on when I go out?
- Yes. Use timers or smart plugs so lights switch on at dusk and off at a normal bedtime. A single light left on all night can look just as empty as none at all.
- How can I stop heating oil being stolen?
- Fit a lockable cap to the tank, add an oil tank alarm or sensor light, and position CCTV so it covers the tank. Keep the area well lit and hard to reach from the road.
Want a second opinion before the dark evenings? Call (045) 241 135 or send us a message and we will arrange a visit.
