With the school summer holidays now in full swing, more and more Britons are packing up their bags and going on holiday.
But whether you're jetting off somewhere hot or crossing your fingers for a sunny UK staycation, it's important to note that an unattended home is a burglar's dream.
According to garage manufacturer Lidget Compton, your garage or shed is an "easy target" for thieves.
Specialists explained that this area is often separate from the home and not always well secured, despite housing some of our "most valuable" items, such as cars and bikes.
Your garage may also store expensive garden tools, work equipment, and personal memorabilia.
To stop opportunistic burglars in their tracks, Lidget Compton's garage expert Simon Taylor shared his top five preventative tips.
Install motion sensor floodlights and a decoy security camera
"Even if they don't get to your valuables, break-in attempts can cause damage. Stop them before they reach your garage with these deterrents. Buy a floodlight which activates as soon as anyone steps within the boundaries of your garden, or makes an approach to your garage.
"Most burglaries occur at night so thieves can get in and out more easily without being detected, and once the light goes on, they will hopefully be scared off and won't attempt the break-in.
"For an extra deterrent and peace of mind, pair the light with a CCTV system, or if you're working with a budget, even a decoy (fake) security camera is a good alternative to discourage would-be thieves from garages."
A garage or shed is an 'easy target' for thieves – if you don't have the right deterrents
|GETTY IMAGES
Add garage defenders
"Many concrete garages have up-and-over doors, which lift into the garage when opened. One way of protecting the garage doors is to use a floor-mounted, external security lock, such as a garage defender.
"Garage defenders act as a great visual deterrent, and stop the door from being pulled open."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Garages often contain some of our 'most valuable' items, such as cars and bikes
|GETTY IMAGES
Add additional point locking
"Most break-ins are crimes of opportunity, and thieves will look for an uncomplicated target to attack.
"One of the simplest ways to protect your property is to make things inconvenient for intruders, for example, adding a door hasp lock and padlock to the main garage, or adding additional point locking to the side door.
"If things appear tricky, thieves are more likely to move onto an easier opportunity."
Install alarms
"A security system is another effective way to protect your garage from theft. If the garage is attached to the house, it may be possible to integrate it into any existing security system currently covering the house.
"It's also possible to add battery-powered door and window alarms to your garage separately. If the door or window is opened, the alarm will sound.
"These devices can be bought from £10, making them a cost-effective and easy way to add extra protection to your garage."
Conceal valuables and add curtains
"If there's a window in your garage, consider fitting a blind or putting a curtain up. Alternatively, apply an opaque film to the glass on the inside.
"Additionally, glass frost paint or spray can also be used as a cheaper alternative for securing your garage. This will hide the contents and any valuables you may have inside from prying eyes."