45% of winter burglaries occur between 5pm and 11pm, with break-ins through the front door the most common route for burglars, at 33%.
Gardaí have issued the warning due to the darker evenings, saying one in five burglars access the house through an unsecured window or door.
Body pressure is the number one method used.
Gardaí are also warning of a 15% increase in bogus tradesmen calling to people, and of an increase of con-men calling to check the security of a house.
