The December holidays are a time to rest and recharge after a busy year. One of South Africa’s largest armed response companies, Fidelity ADT said it is important not to neglect personal safety during this period, especially as it is also a busy time of year for opportunistic criminals.
“We all deserve the time to relax with our friends and families. If we remember a few basic safety measures, we can make a big difference towards enjoying this time of year in safety,” said Charnel Hattingh, national marketing and communications manager at Fidelity ADT.
The first and most important step to take, she said, is to regularly test your alarm to ensure that it is in good working order. It is also a good idea to let your security company know what your holiday plans are and how best to get in touch with you in the event of an emergency.
Additional security tips for holidaymakers to make sure their residential property is protected and safe:
- Cut back any bushes or trees that may offer easy access over walls or gates to your property, or provide places for criminals to hide.
- Inform your neighbours and neighbourhood watch of your holiday plans so that they can keep an eye on your property.
- If hiring a house-sitter, ensure that you teach him/her how to use your alarm correctly.
- If you don’t have a house-sitter, ask a neighbour or a friend to turn on lights occasionally so that there is a sense that someone is around. If this is not possible, consider putting your outside lights on a timer.
- Double-check that you have locked and secured all windows and doors before leaving home.
- Turn off your geyser and any unnecessary electrical appliances so you can save on electricity and be environmentally friendly.
“We also recommend that people be careful and discreet about packing for a long journey and to not give any indication that your home might be unattended for an extended period of time,” concluded Hattingh.
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