Security insights to help you make an informed choice
Top 10 tips on property safety
- Have adequate insurance. In the event of a burglary or attempted burglary, some items may be stolen or property may be damaged. Having adequate insurance should replace/repair most of the damage done or property stolen.
- Assess your property and make sure it is well protected. Assess your entire property for weak spots or possible areas of vulnerability. If you are not sure how to do this, ask for a free assessment from us. Your system should be set up in several layers, namely electric fence, perimeter beams, outdoor sensors, door and window sensors, indoor motion sensors, CCTV system.
- Never leave doors or windows open. Criminals take advantage of easy targets. It is easier to enter through an open door or window than to risk the noise of breaking a window or door.
- Always use the security systems you have in place. No matter how much security you have in place, if you don’t use it, it won’t be able to work for you. Make sure it is tested frequently and is in good working order.
- When you are away, ask friends or neighbours to collect mail from your post box. Mail in the box is an indicator that you are not home. We don’t want criminals to know that we are away; get relatives or friends to switch on lights and to remove the mail from the box.
- Create a safe zone in your home. Use a heavy duty gate to secure an area of your home in case of an emergency.
- Motorize all your access gates. This will enable you to get into your property without leaving your car. Once you leave your car you are more vulnerable to hi-jacking. Make sure your gate motors have battery backup.
- Install adequate lighting at the entrance to your property and house. A dark entrance or driveway is often used by intruders to wait for their victims. Once you open the door/gate they run in without you noticing and gain access to the house and property.
- Train your staff and family not to open for strange visitors. Never let your staff or family open the door/gate for people looking for work, or pretending to be sent by someone to do work. Have an intercom to communicate with people outside.
- Have panic buttons available in case of an emergency. Emergency numbers must be close to all phones. You must have a working panic button by each door and in your safe zone. Keep several remote panic buttons close to hand in various places. Store emergency numbers on your cellphone and keep emergency numbers in clear view from the landline phone.
