Expert reveals little-known ironing board trick to keep thieves out of your home

With the first bank holiday of the summer approaching, many people will be heading away that weekend, and over the summer months.

With this in mind, a new survey by Peopl Insurance examined the tactics used by Irish people to keep their home safe from burglars when they’re on holiday and found an unusual 'hack' that some use. 

4% of 1,000 people surveyed said that they "leave an ironing board up with a pile of clothes on it", in order to defer prying eyes of potential thieves. 

The traditional practice of relying on a neighbour to keep an eye on a home while it is vacant is still alive and well, with 40% of homeowners getting neighbours to check in on their property and collect the post, while about one in eight people also ask their neighbour to open and draw curtains and blinds.

The top 10 tricks included:

1. Leave the lights on, or use time switches - 49% of Irish homeowners do this
2. Get a neighbour to check in and collect the post - 40%
3. Switch on an intruder alarm - 36%
4. Turn on CCTV cameras - 22%
5. Use top-of-the-range mortice locks - 19%
6. Get a neighbour to open and draw the curtains and blinds - 13%
7. Leave clothes hanging on the line - 12%
8. Move valuables up to the attic - 11%
9. Leave an ironing board up with a pile of clothes on it - 4%
10. Hide the calendar away - 3%

Commenting on the research, Paul Walsh, spokesman for Peopl Insurance, said: “Our research shows that many homeowners are locking and lighting up their homes when away. 

“However, with only one in five people using top-of-the range mortice locks, and only one in three switching on an intruder alarm, homeowners could certainly be more proactive in this regard.

“It can be devastating to arrive home to find your house broken into  – so any extra measures homeowners can take to prevent this happening are worthwhile.”

Other highlights from the research include:

• Men are more inclined than women to rely on CCTV cameras (25% versus 18%) in a bid to deter burglars while away. Men are also more likely than women to move valuables up to the attic (12% versus 9%) and to hide the calendar away (7pc versus 2pc).
• Those over 55 are more inclined than other age cohorts to take steps to protect their home from burglars while they’re away, with 56% of this age group saying they turn on lights or use timer switches while on holiday.