Heating oil is a valuable commodity, and unfortunately, it is often the target of thieves.
If you use heating oil to heat your home, it’s important to take steps to protect your oil supply from theft. In this blog post, we’ll share some best practices and precautions you can take to safeguard your heating oil.
Best Practices for oil theft prevention
Follow these steps to take the best preventative measures to protect your heating oil supply from theft.
Choose a secure location for your oil tank:
The best way to protect your heating oil is to store it in a secure, enclosed space. A secure tank location could be a locked shed or garage or even underground, for example. However, be sure to abide by the government rules and regulations when choosing the location of your oil tank.
Install a locking device on the fill pipe of your tank:
If you don’t have an enclosed space for storing your oil tank, there are other security measures you can take. You can purchase a locking device that attaches to the fill pipe of your tank. This device is cost-effective and will make it more difficult for thieves to access, even if they have tools.
Shield your tank with a roof or overhead cover:
Unfortunately, thieves can and will access Google satellite images on Google Maps to locate heating oil tanks nearby. One way to counteract this is by installing a roof above your oil tank to shield your tank in these images.
Utilise security lights and defensive plants
While lighting and plants can’t necessarily physically stop thieves from accessing your tank, they can act as deterrents. Combined with other oil tank safety measures, thieves will be less likely to attempt to steal from you. Motion sensored lighting and spiky plants also increase their chance of getting caught and leaving evidence behind.
Invest in an oil tank alarm and install a CCTV system:
You should also consider installing a good quality alarm system that includes motion sensors around your heating oil tank. If someone does try to break into your tank, the alarm will sound and alert you. The alarm will also trigger the CCTV system, which will capture an image or video of the thief. These measures could deter thieves from targeting your tank or help you to catch the thief.
Monitor your oil levels:
It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on your oil tank and report any suspicious activity. You can do this automatically by installing a remote monitoring system on your heating oil tank.
For all the ways to monitor your oil levels, read our guide to tracking your heating oil usage.
How Is Heating Oil Stolen?
There are a few different ways that thieves can steal heating oil. One common method is to simply syphon the oil out of the tank. This can be prevented by installing a locking device on the fill pipe, as mentioned above.
Another way that thieves steal heating oil is by breaking into the tank and stealing the entire contents. This is more difficult to do, but it can be done if the tank is not properly secured. That’s why it’s so important to store your heating oil in a secure, enclosed space.
To maximise your fuel tank protection against different forms of theft, utilise multiple preventative measures where possible.
What To Do If You Are A Victim of Heating Oil Theft in the UK
If you are a victim of heating oil theft, immediately report the crime to the police. Be sure to save the recordings from any CCTV equipment to use as evidence. You should also contact your insurance company to arrange for any repairs.
The consequences of heating oil theft can be serious. Stolen oil can lead to a loss of heat for your home. It can also be expensive to replace the oil and repair any damages without the correct insurance. In some cases, heating oil theft can even cause damage to your heating system.
Heating oil theft is a serious problem, but you can help to prevent it by taking some simple precautions. By following the steps we’ve outlined above, you can help to keep your heating oil safe from thieves.
Get in touch with us if you have any questions about how to protect your heating oil. Our team can also assist you with replacing stolen oil.
Discover our guide to oil tank safety for more advice on looking after your oil storage.
