STAY SAFE THIS HOLIDAY
Burglars are probably the only people who don’t take December and January off! Here’s a tick list to help you keep your property and possessions safe.
The end of the year is filled with to-do lists. You tick off the last work and school projects on the calendar and draw up lists of everything you’ll need to buy, pack and remember for the holiday you’ve been looking forward to all year. “The next item on your to-do list is to make sure you’re ready for what the other side of the festive season can throw at you,” says Charnel Hattingh, National Marketing and Communications Manager at Fidelity ADT. “We hate to bring it up, but this time of the year is when criminals have their own shopping lists ready.” She warns: “Don’t leave repairs or installations of alarm systems until the last minute. Many security companies are flooded with requests at this time of the year and may not be able to assist you at short notice.”
an eye on your property. Leave a key with them – don’t hide it in the flower pot! Check your property for security weak spots: easily accessible windows and doors; places to hide; a garden shed with a rickety door; your garage or gate… Be aware of these weak spots and secure them where possible. Burglars aren’t fooled when you leave the lights on in your house day and night. Buy a time switch for your lights for a few hundred rand at Makro or Builders Warehouse. Test it before you leave. Install lights with motion sensors outside. If you’re leaving a vehicle in the garage while you’re away, remove the keys from the hook at your front door. If possible, don’t park your vehicle in the street. It might be fun to let your friends and family know you’re on holiday on social media, but check your privacy settings on Facebook and make sure your cellphone number isn’t visible. Burglars might be able to connect your phone number to your address. Lock all doors. If your garage works with a remote control, secure it with a padlock before you leave. Remote controls work across a limited range of channels and burglars can hack them. Don’t leave valuable items out in the open in your house. Lock your documents and passports in a safe. Close your stop tap and unplug all non- essential appliances like your kettle and washing machine. Turn off the geyser. Doing this won’t keep burglars out, but it will lower the risk of your house being flooded or catching fire while you’re out of town.