A warning for residents to be wary of their water heating systems

Figures from AMI Insurance show thefts of hot water cylinders alone, have cost several consumers at least 200-thousand-dollars in damages due to extensive flooding.

It also found more than 500 water heating units are stolen yearly -- to sell the copper parts.

Executive general manager Paula ter Brake says the burglaries usually happen around lunch time or early afternoon.

She says a preventive trick is to install a cage around exterior gas heating units.