Liquid Gold in Your Backyard? Protecting Home Heating Oil from Thieves

The rising costs of kerosene prices on the UK market are a serious cause for concern for householders. Filling up home heating oil tanks can leave you with a hefty bill and also offer a tempting target for thieves.

Thieves After Your Liquid Gold?

Fuel is now a precious commodity. With home heating oil prices on the rise you need to make sure you protect your stock from thieves. Incidences of fuel theft have risen in the last few years and this can not only cost you money but could also leave you without fuel when you need it most. You need to take active steps now to protect your domestic oil tank from thieves and ensure the fuel you buy is ready and available when you need it.

Don’t forget that a full domestic oil tank could represent hundreds of pounds to opportunistic thieves. You need to think of your domestic oil in terms of its value and take the same precautions you would if you were protecting cash or other valuables from thieves.

Protecting Your Assets

Unfortunately there is no way you can protect your valuables 100% from determined thieves. However you can take positive steps to protect your home and reduce the risks of thefts occurring. Most thieves are opportunistic and look for easy targets. You need to make it as hard as possible for them to take advantage of your oil central heating system and make it less likely for them to target you. Here are some basic safety precautions you can put in place to protect domestic oil storage tanks:

1. Tank Placement – think very carefully about where your oil heating tank is located. The tank is more at risk if it is visible from the road side. You may be able to re-position your tank to a more secure area where it is overlooked by your windows and out of sight from the road.

2. Security Lights – it is also a good idea to fit a security light at your tank. Motion detector lights will flick on and alert you if anyone is moving around your storage tank.

3. Oil Level Gauge – it is important to fit an oil level gauge to domestic oil storage tanks. This will alert you immediately if there are any sudden or unusual drops in the oil level so that you can take action.

4. Fit Locks – you should consider installing locks on your tanker filler caps and any manual dispensing outlets. This will help to prevent thieves from getting easy access to your fuel.

5. CCTV Systems – if you have had a problem with fuel theft in the past then it may be worth installing CCTV systems. There are some affordable systems available now and this will help to deter thieves and provide you with video evidence if anyone does try to tamper with your oil tank.

Remember if you suspect oil thieves are at work call the police. Do not try and engage potential thieves on your own as you could be putting yourself at serious risk.

With kerosene prices rising every year you need to take steps now to protect your oil tanks. With some simple measures you can deter thieves and keep your valuable oil more secure.

James Charles is a frequent contributor for Fuelfighter and has written many articles pertaining to all things regarding domestic heating oil, energy saving tips especially on such subjects as making the best of your precious boilerjuice for your heating requirements. For more details visit http://www.fuelfighter.co.uk/our_products.html