Four steps to improve your home’s security
House break-ins are on the rise, so layer-up your security barriers in and around your home with these four steps to deter burglars and keep your home and family safe.
The most common crime experienced by households in the country, according to Statistics South Africa, are house break-ins. Ramping up safety measures on your property, be it freestanding or in an estate, is a must to improve your family’s safety…and the best way to start is by adding these four security layers to your home:
Start from the outside in
You want to catch and stop a potential burglar before they make it into your four walls. When it comes to layering, Budget Insurance suggests starting with a sturdy perimeter wall or palisade fence. Regularly check that there are no low branches hanging over the boundary line. Gates and garage doors need to be secure and sturdy and, ideally, remote operated. Make sure gates can’t be lifted off their rails with a crowbar and gate motors can’t be accessed easily.
Split your property into zones
Security beams should work in layers too. Set up your interior and exterior beams to allow different zones to be activated as needed. This serves as an early warning system, allowing you and your security company more time to react when the alarm is set off.
Let Fluffy sound the alarm
Nothing sneaks past a small dog, which makes them a hugely underrated security measure. Thanks to their excellent hearing, sharp sight and excellent sense of smell, our tiny, four-legged companions are an invaluable early warning system.
Big brother is watching
Keep an eye on your property, whether you are at home or on the go with a clever CCTV system that is linked to your smartphone. These camera systems are becoming increasingly affordable and offer a variety of features. Should you ever have a house break-in, the camera footage will come in handy for insurance and police investigation purposes.
