Lock specialist Yale offers some sage advice on how to keep your holiday caravan secure this summer and beyond…

With the possibility of a summer holiday abroad this year seeming unlikely, many of us have chosen to stay in the UK for a summer staycation. Caravan parks are quickly getting booked up.

In fact, Cool Camping reported campsite bookings are up by as much as 500 per cent in some areas of the UK.
Spending quality time with family and friends, enjoying the great outdoors and some peace and quiet are just a few reasons you might choose to pack up your car or caravan for this type of break.

However, an increasing demand for caravanning holidays, camping trips or relaxing canal boat adventures can often result in an increase in related theft.

Trusted security experts from Yale have provided advice on how you can keep your caravan protected from thieves. Letting you enjoy a relaxing break away and help improve your holiday experience.

THE PERFECT PITCH
If you’re given a choice of plot, try to pick somewhere that’s in view of the car park or a main path. In these types of areas people are often passing by, and they’re most likely to be well lit and more visible.

Thieves are most likely to operate in more secluded spots which are less visible, and where they stand less chance of being spotted, so it’s best to keep out of these areas.

KEEP IT LOCKED UP
If you’re heading out for the day or night, make sure your property is safely locked up. Leaving your holiday home open can leave you open to potential thieves.

A quick and easy way to protect your essentials when away is using a padlock. Yale’s padlock range includes standard, high and maximum-security and weatherproof padlocks, meeting every security need. Whether it’s for your bags, holiday equipment or something else entirely, using a padlock is a simple method of keeping your belongings safe and secure.

OUT OF SIGHT
If a potential thief can’t see into your holiday property, then they might not think it’s worth the risk breaking in to. Keep any valuables out of sight or put them away once they’ve been used.

Remember not to leave anything on the side which could easily be spotted through a window.

It’s important before you go away on holiday to consider what you need to take – do you need to take expensive jewellery or gadgets? If you don’t want to take money or bank cards, using a digital wallet such as Apple pay, you easily make payments without having to carry a purse or wallet.

KEEP IT SAFE
Keeping a compact safe somewhere in your caravan will add an extra layer of security for any cash, bank cards or other valuables which need to be kept safe.

Having a safe will not only help keep any valuables out of sight, but will also help to prevent them from being stolen in the unfortunate case you’re broken into.

There are a range of different safes which are available, with some designed to protect cash up to £1,000 and valuables up to £10,000. If you’re looking for a smaller, more compact safe for holiday, the Yale range includes small compact safes that are ideal for holidaymakers. With a safe small enough to store your valuables and tuck away, but strong enough to withstand an attempted attack, you can enjoy your holiday with no worries.

BE A FRIENDLY NEIGHBOUR
Caravan sites are the ideal place for making new friends. And sometimes something as simple as introducing yourself to others when you arrive can help to deter would-be-thieves.

Having other people close-by, whether it’s new friends or other groups you’ve gone away with, will mean there are other people who can watch your belongings when you’re off on an adventure.

Knowing your neighbours means they can let you know of any suspicious activity or behaviour in the area. But remember, if you do see people looking through caravan windows, tell security staff. Don’t approach them yourself!
For more advice and information about the range of security products from Yale, please visit yalehome.co.uk.