Home Security

It is imperative to be pro-active to avoid being affected by crime. The family's safety is paramount, and nowhere more so than at home. Your home is your castle and it's imperative to ensure that it is protected.

It's not only about fitting the most high-tech, best-money-can-buy security products, but also about maintaining an awareness and taking precautions against burglaries.

While At Home...

  • A good burglar alarm and deterrent security will help to protect your property and your personal security.
  • Set your alarm to "home", "stay", or "night" mode if possible! Some systems allow you to have certain windows open while in one of these modes.
  • Never open the door to a stranger.
  • Keep your doors locked - most intruders gain access through doors and/or windows that have been left open or unlocked.
  • Before going to bed at night, lock bathroom, toilet and spare room doors. Any intruder gaining access to these rooms from the window will be prevented further access to the house.
  • If a stranger wants to use your phone, do not open the door - dial the number on their behalf if you want to help.
  • Residents and domestic workers should, if possible, carry their remote panic buttons with them at all times.

On Returning...

  • Be especially alert!
  • Check for any suspicious vehicles or persons or anything out of the ordinary. If concerned, get away as quickly as possible.
  • If you suspect that you're being followed, do NOT go home - drive to closest police station, contact your security company, or call your neighbourhood watch for assistance.
  • Use your security company's or neighbourhood watch's escort service if arriving home late at night.

When Moving In...

When moving into a new house...
  • Change all externally accessible door locks.

And...

  • Test the alarm and panic buttons at least once a month.
  • Complain to your armed response if you do not see them patrolling your area on a regular basis – you pay for that.
  • Save the emergency numbers on your cell phone and also display them in visible places in your house.
  • Know where your local police station, hospital and fire station are located.
  • Make sure all windows and doors are secured with burglar proofing or security gates.
  • Never employ a gardener or housekeeper without checking their references.
  • Always keep your firearm in a safe or on your person.
  • Know your neighbours and keep their contact numbers handy.
  • Mobilise your street - criminals are cautious if they know that their chances of being caught are greater.
  • Record all serial numbers of electronic and mechanical household equipment and keep these numbers in a safe place. This will be useful to trace an item that has been stolen and then recovered by the police.
  • Never hide a key under a doormat or in a flower pot.
  • Don't leave notes on the door or postbox saying that you're out.

See also

When Out...

  • Activate your alarm, even if you are just going out for a short time. Many incidents occur at premises where the residents have not turned on the alarm system!
  • Lock your house, even if its for 5 minutes!
  • Your domestic workers should never allow access for visitors without prior instruction from the home owner - if unsure, they should call you.
  • Leave your curtains slightly parted so that the house doesn't appear appear.
  • Don't leave valuables where they are visible from windows.
  • Don't hide door keys under a mat or in or under a pot plant - rather leave them with a trusted neighbour.

While on Vacation...

Holidays are prime shopping sprees for burglars, so...
  • Ensure that your alarm is in working order.
  • Inform your security company.
    Be discreet when preparing to go on vacation. If possible, pack your car behind closed garage doors.
  • Inform your neighbours and the neighbourhood watch of your absence and ask them to keep an eye on your property.
  • Inform your neighbours of your travel plans so that they can contact you if necessary.
  • Ask your neighbours to clear your postbox. Don't cancel mail & newspaper deliveries as information that you are away may fall into the wrong hands.
  • Ask neighbours to look after the garden and put refuse bags outside your home on collection days.
  • Instruct your house sitter on how to use the alarm correctly.
  • Secure all windows, fanlights and doors (including outbuildings).
  • Don't leave a message on your answering service saying that you are on vacation.
  • Arrange for lights to be switched on in the house at night, but make sure that outside lights are not left on during the day.
  • Lock garden implements away so that they won't be stolen or used as break-in tools.
  • Put all valuables and firearms in a safe or take them to a bank.
  • Check that all taps are turned off.
  • If you are leaving your pets at home, make sure that a reliable person is responsible for looking after them, and that barking dogs will not be a nuisance to neighbours.
  • Offer to have your neighbours' cars parked in your yard in order to keep it safe whilst giving the appearance that someone is at home.
 






© 2012 Bluff CPF