Lose your heart not your belongings on Valentine's Day

Research reveals February 14 is one of the worst days of the year for theft, with a nine per cent increase in home burglaries compared to an average day.

Amidst the flurry of gift-giving and grand gestures by lovers, opportunistic thieves take advantage as couples head out for a romance-filled evening, leaving their properties unoccupied.

According to home security specialist Yale, burglars will be on the lookout for those revealing signs of a vacant home, such as curtains left open at night, no lighting, or no cars in the driveway.

But the company says some simple tips could help you avoid the heartache of a house break-in this Valentine’s Day.

Firstly, don’t make it easy for thieves. The majority of burglars access properties through a front door or open window, so make sure these are secured with a British Standard lock, which is recommended by most home insurers.

Additionally, good visual deterrents such as a home alarm or simple CCTV system – even if they are just dummy models – can make your property less appealing and discourage burglars if your property looks unoccupied.

Even better, you can create the illusion of an occupied house by using lights with inbuilt timers and set them to come on at specific times.

For more advice, or to learn about the full range of security solutions from Yale, visit http://www.yale.co.uk/en/yale/couk/|Yale|Click here to visit Yale website}.