Garda crime prevention officers are offering advice on protecting property especially for those living in rural areas.
Gardaí say open gates are an invitation into your yard.
Deter, deny, delay is the advice being giving people to help combat rural crime.
Dogs, sensor lights, alarms, CCTV, video door bell systems, cars parked at the front of the house and keeping gates closed can deter burglars entering your property.
Gardai say there is no onus on anyone to open the door to anybody.
They advise to talk out the window and identify who the person is before opening the door.
Garda suggest that if you are living on your own, try to give the impression that there is more than one person in the house.
Speaking with the Farmer’s Journal, Gardai suggest installing an alarms will help to reduce the amount of time burglars spend in the house.
As always they recommend to report any suspicious activity by calling 999.
