The majority of burglaries occur between 5 and 10pm in the winter months.
As the dark evenings come in, the risk of burglaries will come with them.
Gardaí are reminding the public to keep their doors and windows locked and their lights on timers.
They're also advising people not to leave keys near letterboxes.
Garda figures show more than one-third of burglars use the front door of a property, and the majority of burglaries happen between 5 and 10pm in the winter months.
Crime Prevention Officer for Westmeath, Sergeant John McWalter, says a dark house is like an invitation for a criminal:
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