The most recent crime statistics for South Africa, unfortunately, continue to make for unsettling reading. The recent uptick in cases of violent crime is of significant concern. Because unemployment and prices are both on the increase, people are becoming increasingly hopeless and may come to believe that they have no other choice but to turn to criminal activity. However, there are a variety of things that you can do to assist in the protection of your loved ones as well as your possessions. To get you started, here are some tips for making your home more secure.
Set Up an Alarm System and See to It That It Receives Routine Maintenance
In addition to being an effective deterrent for would-be thieves, an alarm system can also provide you with some additional sense of calm and security. If there is convincing proof that you have a burglar alarm, burglars are less inclined to attack your home; therefore, you should make sure that it is obvious from the outside of the house.
In most cases, the business that sets up the armed response system also will place signboards on the property to indicate that the house is protected by the system. Be certain that the system can be easily activated at night or before you leave the house, and that every member of the household is aware of how to activate the alarm and get in touch with the security contractor in the case of an emergency.
Given that you will be in South Africa, the system you select must have a sizable backup battery that will allow it to function normally even during scheduled power outages. As a final step, make sure to perform regular checks on it to ensure that it is in good working condition. The best way to ensure that you won’t forget something is to set a recurring reminder for it on either your phone or your computer.
Participate in or Organize a Neighborhood Watch Group
Participate in your neighborhood watch program if you live in a community that has one. In that case, you should make an effort to become acquainted with your immediate neighbors and trade contact information with them so that you can look out for one another.
It’s a good idea to get everybody on the street to join the same WhatsApp group so that you can share information about potentially dangerous behavior and be notified about unusual occurrences in your neighborhood. It is also a good way to share overall news and updates about the neighborhood or to let your neighbors know that you’re going on vacation so that they can keep a watch on your house for you while you are gone.
Make sure the interior and exterior of your property are well-lit at all times. You might want to think about installing motion detector lights around the outside of your house.
Because thieves try to avoid being caught, proper lighting can be an effective deterrent against them. If you can see someone nearing your house, there is a high likelihood that they can see you as well; in most cases, this will cause them to reconsider their decision to continue forward with their approach.
These are not overly expensive and can make a significant contribution to the feeling of safety that you have, which is especially important if you live in a dark or rural region. If someone were to enter your property, the likelihood is high that they would flee before even attempting to break into your home if they suddenly found themselves “in the limelight.”
Don’t Make It Simple for People to Get in or Get Out of Your Property
What would you do if you wanted to get onto your property but couldn’t because you’d lost your keys or the remote control for your gate wasn’t working? If you can envision a simple method, there is a good chance that a thief can as well.
Keep in mind that burglars are also searching for simple ways to get away, such as low walls or fences that can be hopped over in a rush or fences that can be cut through quickly to gain access to a road. If you give access to these sorts of routes more difficult, you will significantly reduce the likelihood that you will be targeted in the first place.
Make sure that any ladders, garbage cans, or other items that could be utilized to gain access to your property are hidden from view and are out of reach of anyone who might want to use them. Maintaining trees and bushes in such a way that they cannot serve as a hiding place for someone who is attempting to break in is of equal importance. This includes keeping them pruned. If you have the funds available and don’t have any animals living on your property, installing an electric fence can be another wise investment.
You Should Be Extra Careful to Lock All of the Doors and Windows
When you’re in the comfort of your own home, it’s easy to let your guard down in terms of security. However, it’s important to keep in mind that burglars frequently enter a home through an unsecured door or window.
Even when you are inside the house, you should check to make sure that all of the doors and windows are locked, and you should also think about purchasing security doors and grilles to give you even more peace of mind. Also, beginning at a young age, children should be taught about the importance of security to instill in them the kinds of behaviors that will serve them well for the rest of their lives.
Be sure to Hide Valuables and Store Them Away From Points of Entry
It is crucial to keep in mind that intruders will frequently target valuables that are easy to grab if they are displayed in plain view, and this is true even if your house is well-secured. Make sure that valuable items such as laptops, wallets, and cellphones are stored in a secure location that is away from windows and doors and is difficult to access. If you have access to a safe, the best place to keep valuables like jewelry, important papers, and money is inside the safe.
Make an Extra Effort to Ensure the Safety of Bedrooms
If someone does break into your home, especially during the night, the safety of your loved ones should be your top priority. If you feel uneasy about letting your children lock the doors to their bedrooms, at least teach them what to do if they think someone is trying to get in.
Depending on the design of your residence, it’s often possible to safeguard the bedrooms behind an extra security gate in the hallway. If someone attempts to break into the building, everyone should instantly huddle behind a door that can be locked and then call for assistance. If it is possible, set up panic buttons in key locations.
