Keep property safe during school holidays

As South Africans look forward to the public holiday on September 24 this Heritage Month and the beginning of the school holidays from September 20, it is important to keep safety top of mind.

Many opportunistic criminals are looking to target vulnerable homes for easy pickings. Charnel Hattingh, group head of marketing and communications for Fidelity ADT, cautions residents to remain vigilant to avoid becoming an easy target.

She reminded residents to always activate outside beams, as these act as an early warning signal.

“Opportunistic crime is exactly what the name implies – opportunistic. If your perimeter is not secure, criminals will take advantage and attempt to steal anything left visibly. Laptops on counters and even bicycles in open garages become easy pickings,” she says.

The suspects are getting in and out within minutes. If they cannot get into your house or business, they take what they can from your property or from your parked cars.

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She offers the following safety tips:
• Ensure that perimeter doors have adequate locks.

• Fit suitable ‘spacers’, locks or bolts to all sliding doors to prevent them from being lifted off their tracks. This is the most common method of burglars in sliding doors and windows.

• Ensure all windows are fitted with adequate locks or burglar bars that cover all glass.

• Ensure all duplicate keys are locked away if not in use. Do not leave it on doors or make unnecessary copies.

• Keep the garage and tool shed locked when not in use. Would–be intruders should not have access to any item that can become a weapon or burglary tool.

• Install outside lights that can be remotely controlled from inside the house. Consider installing lighting outside, which is activated by a motion detector.

• Reduce all heavy foliage near your perimeter wall and gate to reduce the possibility of those spots being used as hiding places.

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Additional security tips:
• Advise your security company if you are going away and ensure that you supply all necessary information regarding key holders, in case of an emergency.

• Inform your neighbours and neighbourhood watch of your holiday plans so that they can keep an eye on your property

• Stop all newspapers and other deliveries (if applicable) and have someone collect all your post. A bulging post box is a dead giveaway that you’re not home.

• If hiring a house sitter, ensure you teach them how to use your alarm correctly.

• Double check that you have locked and secured all windows and doors before leaving home

• Ensure that all your outside locks are a minimum of four lever locks or double cylinder security locks. It is also a good idea to check that all these locks are in good working order.

“Holidays should be fun and stress-free; we all need to recharge our batteries from time to time. Let’s be extra vigilant during these school holidays and make sure everyone stays safe,” concludes Hattingh.