- Don’t ever think, “It won’t happen to me.”
- Install sensor lights around the outside of your house and in particular at your front gate.
- Encourage your neighbours to do the same – this has proved to be extremely successful in the streets where everybody has installed sensors to light up their neighbourhood. We don’t have street lights – this is the next best thing!
- Make sure these lights are switched on every night.
- Always arm your home security system at night or when you leave your property unattended.
- Test your alarm and panic buttons at least once a month.
- Complain to your armed response company if you do not see them patrolling your area on a regular base – you pay for such a service.
- Ensure the number of your house is bold and clearly visible. In the event of an emergency, security or medical personnel can waste precious minutes trying to locate a property with no number.
- Save emergency numbers in your cell phone – preferably in speed-dial.
- Display all emergency numbers prominently in your home, particularly next to each telephone and make sure family members and domestic staff are aware of them.
- Don’t leave your wheelie bin outside your home for longer than necessary as it can be used to climb over
- Ensure newspapers and post items are regularly cleared from your mail box.
- Don’t leave outside lights on during the day as it can be construed as you being away.
- Don’t leave things lying around – for example ladders/wheelbarrows/tools/bicycles – on view or within easy reach of people with any criminal intent.
- Always check the surrounding area before entering or leaving your property. Someone may just be waiting or watching.
- Set up a contact system with your neighbours. Have their phone numbers/cell numbers handy and look out for each other’s safety and security.
- Always lock your vehicle if it is parked in an open area, and ensure that nothing of value is left on view
- Keep all shrubs and trees on your pavement well-trimmed to ensure minimal hiding places for criminals and their stolen goods.
- Do not leave perimeter doors unlocked. Install security gates that allow for doors to be open in hot
- Timer devices fitted to a couple of table lamps will ensure lights are switched on at certain times, even if you are away from the house. Makes it look like someone is at home.
- Be vigilant and report suspicious behaviour. If you spot anything suspicious or anyone behaving suspiciously in and around your neighbourhood, use the WhatApp Group or call F-ADT.
- Be extra vigilant when building work is taking place near your home.
- Have regular chats to your domestic worker about safety measures in your home, especially about the use of panic buttons and emergency telephone numbers.
- A dog is a good early warning system. Keep it visible as a deterrent but beyond the reach of strangers. The unexplainable death of a watchdog is a warning sign of a possible burglary.
- If your house alarm goes off, or you hear strange noises or your dogs bark ….switch on the outside
- When employing someone, request their identity document and make a copy for safekeeping. Check any previous employment references and do a security clearance at the police station.
- Install the best security you can afford, for example the security gates at outside doors. Keep these gates If possible fix a door viewer and latch chain.
- When approaching your house entrance by foot or by car ensure that it is safe to enter and that you have not been followed. Be aware of persons loitering at the entrance.
- Always keep you keys safe to prevent duplication. Never leave your house key under a doormat or in a plant pot. Once you have locked your door from the inside remove the key and place it in a safe place. Do not leave keys in a hidden place for domestic staff or children as criminals often stake out a house and will discover these hiding places.
- Know your neighbours and build a relationship of mutual trust and support. Exchange contact details and set up an arrangement whereby you can look out for one another, especially when any safety or security concerns arise. Your strength lies in how many people are able to assist you in an emergency.
- When going away inform your neighbours.
- If you buy luxury goods, cut up the boxes and dispose of these in tied black bags – a branded box is a tell-tale sign of what thieves could find in your house.
- Mark your computer equipment, home entertainment goods and easily-removed luxury items with some form of invisible identifying process. There are various pens or sprays on the market.
- Keep cash and valuables in banks or in a safe at home.
- Store your firearms in a safe.
