Home is where the heart is, but peace-of-mind only comes when your home is safe and secure. When it comes to protecting your investments, it is common knowledge that it is better to be safe than sorry. Here are five quick and easy safety tips that will help you stay safe.
- Secure your doors:Pay close attention to all the doors and windows and ensure they are strong and have locks. Don’t forget to secure your sliding windows by using a wooden dowel in the tracks so that they can’t be forced open. Err on the side of caution and keep windows locked when you are out. More importantly, avoid leaving keys under the doormat! Intruders try the obvious ways to enter your home first and by securing these, you have taken the first and the most essential step towards home security.
- Install an Electronic Security System:This can be as basic as a DIY installation kit or you can engage a professional alarm company to help you choose and install a comprehensive system. An automated monitoring system will go a long way in protecting your property at all times. Most importantly, when installing a security system, ensure that it is working at all times, especially when Eskom flicks the switch. A scheduled check once in a fortnight is advisable.
- Stay Discreet:Socialise with caution. It is not a good idea to interact with complete strangers and disclose your travel plans or other personal details about you or your home. They might not directly cause you harm, but the information could reach others who may break into your house. If you are travelling and would like to inform someone regarding this, the best people are the local police and your local neighbourhood watch group. You should also consider moving important documents or valuables to a bank locker or safe during long vacations.
- Light up, Power Up:More light means more protection. This is true especially within the perimeter of your house. High fences instead of walls have proven beneficial in several cases, since you can see who is behind a fence from a distance. You can also consider installing an electric fence if the crime rate in your area is high. An electric shock is a definite deterrent to would-be intruders.
- Hide the Tools:It is disconcerting how often the tools used by the intruders for breaking into the house actually belong to the household. So don’t leave your garden tools or ladders lying around after you use them. Keep them safely locked inside your house.
We firmly believe that by following a few of these steps, you can go a long way to protecting your family from burglary.