Tips to employ trustworthy domestic staff to keep your home safe

Knowing that you have trustworthy staff at home gives you peace of mind, as you can rest assured that your home is in good hands. Follow these tips to help you make the right choice when employing new staff:

The interview process:

It might seem tedious, but doing a background check on any staff you are thinking about employing is crucial, as you will be allowing this person onto your property and into your home, so you want to make sure you know who this person is. Before hiring, do a criminal record check through SAPS and check their references, asking previous employers questions about: 

• If the person was dismissed, ask what the reason was. 
• Check what responsibilities the person had and how well they were carried out. 
• Ask if there were any security issues while this person was employed. 
• Find out if they were punctual and reliable. 

Security ground rules:

Once you have employed a domestic worker or a gardener, it is important to set some ground rules when answering the doorbell: 

• Ask the person to identify him/herself by full name;
• Ask them to state their business;
• Ask them to show identification – company ID card, ID book or driver’s license; and
• Verify by calling the homeowner to find out if they are expecting the person, or call the company the person works for to check if this is indeed a legitimate visit.

For more home security tips, visit Fidelity ADT.

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