Home heating oil tank security is a major issue due to the increasing cost of domestic heating oil, don’t become a victim – find out how you can reduce the chances of your tank being targeted below.

Most domestic heating oil users only check their tanks every few weeks or months and are unaware if a thief is syphoning off small quantities but on an often basis, so try to dip / check your tank on a frequent basis to monitor your heating oil level.

One of the biggest challenges is keeping the heating oil in your tank and out of the hands of thief’s, but what’s the best way?

• Siting Your Oil Tank - The position of the tank can have a significant effect on how hard a target it is in the eyes of the thief. If the tank is close to the house, with one or more windows capable of giving a view of it, then the thief may consider the chances of being seen too high.
• Oil Level Gauges – Remote electronic oil level gauges are now available which will set off an audible alarm if the oil level in the tank suddenly drops or falls below a quarter full but are dependent on you being home and in the same room as the alarm unit at the time.
• Security Lights – Security lights can have a very positive effect and make any property a much harder target for the thief, especially lights which also sound when the light has been triggered.
• Defensive Planting – Defensive planting is nature’s way of helping to reduce crime. Thieves will not wish to force their way through or over a prickly hedge.
• Securing Your Oil Tank – A wooden or metal fence, trellis or wall can give significant protection to the tank, but it must be remembered that the oil tanker driver will need access to fill the tank! A metal or grill cage with a lockable access point across the top of this wall or fence can further improve security but can be costly.

What measures have you taken to secure your heating oil tank?

How often do you check your tank level? Share your security hints and tips below…

Had your heating oil stolen? Make an anonymous oil theft report today and help to raise awareness in your local area!

Police have reported an increase in the number of cases of thieves stealing heating oil.
In Worcestershire, police arrested one man responsible for stealing oil from many rural homes in order to sell it again.
“It is very sad that when most people are pulling together to help each other during this cold weather, a small minority are committing these offences.” Chief inspector Jerry Reakes-Williams.

With around 1.3 million households using heating oil and the average cost of a tank of oil around £900 for a 1000 litres. Of particular risk to oil thefts are isolated properties in rural areas or farms. There are steps that can be taken to prevent these thefts.

NFU (National Farmers Union) Mutual insurance company has received more than one hundred claims with a value of £50,000 in the last six-months.

People are becoming more aware thanks to BBC news, radio programmes and newspaper articles spreading the word but there are also a number of measures you can take to make it less likely you will become a victim of this crime.

Make sure that your oil tank is not visible from the road, and if it is, then fences, trellis, trees or hedging can be used to make the oil tank less visible to passing traffic.

If you have a drive with gates, then keep them closed when away from the property.
Use a security light placed near the oil tank that will come on if there is any movement near the tank.

Small infra-red cameras are fairly cheap these days. A covert camera to record the number plates of any vehicles entering your drivewa could help. It may not stop theives but may help to trace the them later. Placing a highly visible camera on your house may act as a deterent to opportunist theives.

Fit a good strong lock; although be aware that plastic tanks can be drilled which may lead to other problems. Not only do you have to buy a new oil tank but you may have an environmental problem cleaning up the spilt oil.

Use a product like the Watchman Sonic Alarmed, this monitors the oil level and sends a radio signal to a receiver inside the house. It can also detect when the oil level drops dramatically such as would happen if there were a leak or theft and alerts the receiver unit.

It is still possible that even after all these security changes, a determined theif could still come along and steal your oil but if you make it difficult for them they will probably go elsewhere.

Had your heating oil stolen? Make an anonymous oil theft report today and help to raise awareness n your local area!

Given the increasing value of heating oil sitting in our oil tanks, it’s not suprising to find out that heating oil thefts are on the increase. If you’ve been the victim of an oil theft please let us know by posting it here, let us know the postcode and general location, ie, village name etc so others can be warned of this kind of activity in the area.

Had your heating oil stolen? Make an anonymous oil theft report today and help to raise awareness n your local area!