Prevent your house from being targeted this festive season

Here are some safety tips from SAPS Newcastle Corporate Communication, to help prevent your home from being targeted this festive season:

– Do not leave your windows, doors or garage open.

– Never leave keys in the gate or lock, or under the mat, pot plant or in the postbox.

– Do not leave expensive or attractive items lying around the garden.

– Keep cash and valuables in banks or safes.

– Put house lights on when out late, as good lighting can deter a thief.

– Install a burglar alarm and test the system regularly.

– Know all your emergency numbers, including the SAPS Crimestop number: 10111.

– Keep your cell phone in the bedroom.

– Remember, outside lights which are on during the day draw the attention of thieves.

– Mail left in the gate is also a good sign nobody is home. Get a friend or neighbour to keep an eye on your property and remove the mail.

– Never leave workmen unattended to, in your house.

– Conduct thorough background checks before employing anyone.

– Never open the door automatically when the bell rings or if someone knocks. Make sure the person wanting to enter is expected.

– Unsuspecting domestic workers, gardeners and children are often approached by robbers pretending to be telephone repairmen, plumbers, municipal inspectors and many other professions.

– In an attempt to gain entrance to the house, robbers may pretend to talk to the owner of the house so as to put pressure on the unsuspecting victims to open the door or gate.

– A watchdog is a good early warning system. Keep it visible as a deterrent but beyond the reach of strangers.

– The unexplained death of a watchdog is a warning sign of a possible burglary. Poisons used to kill or incapacitate dogs are also poisonous to humans and must be handled with extreme caution and only by experts.

– Dogs which are outside and can bark at anyone walking by are less effective as ‘alarm’ systems than dogs kept inside the house and which only bark when someone is a direct threat to you.

– When approaching your house entrance, ensure it is safe to enter and you have not been followed.

– Be on the lookout for people loitering at the entrance, vehicles stopping when you slow down or anything unusual at your home.

ALSO READ: SAPS offer advice on personal safety

Contact us

WhatsApp: 082 874 5550

Email: Reveshni Douglas (Editor) at reveshni@caxton.co.za

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