Six common safety issues to watch out for and how to step up your security

Feeling safe in your home is key and a major concern for most South African families. Understanding where you need to beef up your property’s security measures and what to look out for will make it that much easier to feel secure in your own four walls. Fidelity ADT share six common ways criminals gain access to homes and what to do to deter them:

1. Forcing locks on gates: opt for a secure, automated gate that cannot be tampered with or derailed.
2. Forcing locks on doors: Look into electronic locks or invest in a tough, traditional lock that cannot easily be forced open.
3. Breaking windows and forcing burglar bars: Ensure your windows are all well protected and do regular checks to see if your burglar bars are not rusted or damaged.
4. Climbing over walls: Add razor wire to the top of your perimeter wall or install electric fencing.
5. Disabling electric fencing: install tamper sensors.
6. Entering through open garages which are connected to the house: check that you close your garage doors when you get home and that they are locked properly.

Once you’ve secured these six problem areas, try adding the below three steps to protect your home and family:

1. Let your dogs sleep inside at night as they can alert you early to anything untoward. Small dogs are especially alert.
2. Outdoor beams are valuable, early-warning devices and sensors should also be installed along outside walls, on the roof and in the ceiling. Activate outdoor beams and an alarm in unused areas of the house when you are home.
3. Install sensor lights strategically around the house, especially in front of bedrooms.