With the recent heatwaves sweeping across large parts of Gauteng it is easy to understand why many South Africans are opting to keep their doors and windows open.
It does make sense to let in some air and hopefully cool the home, but it is also creating the perfect opportunity for criminals to easily gain access to homes, warned Fidelity ADT.
According to Stuart Clarkson, Managing Executive for Fidelity ADT, the police recently issued a warning to homeowners to be more vigilant after noting an increase in the number of house and armed robberies.
“It is well known that criminals often take advantage of “peak hours” when the family is home preparing for lunch, dinner, or hosting a party or a braai.
The fact that someone is home does not scare off criminals because they know that during these times, homeowners are at their most relaxed and least security conscious. The noises of cooking, TVs and kids playing can help conceal criminal activity. More importantly, criminals also know that at peak hours your alarm is not activated.
“With the sweltering summer heat, many homeowners are also sitting with their doors and windows wide open, most times without burglar proofing or safety gates or without their perimeter beams activated,” said Clarkson.
Fidelity ADT offered homeowners the following security tips to keep safe during the summer:
• If you keep doors and windows open, make sure they are protected by burglar bars or safety gates. Make sure the safety gate is kept locked at all times.
• Activate your alarm and bypass areas of your home that are being used, while keeping your outdoor detection beams armed to warn you of anyone entering your property.
• Be mindful of warning signs that something may be amiss, like uneasy pets or noises not consistent with the situation.
Clarkson said criminals are not afraid to target your home while you are there, so one can never be complacent.
“It’s important to keep security top of mind at all times and in the event that you do experience a home invasion you need to remember the golden rules”:
• Stay calm and try to think rationally in the situation. Unless you feel you are facing an imminent life-and-death situation, don’t fight back.
• Speak only if spoken to and then try to keep your answers short and to the point.
• Don’t stare at the assailants but try nevertheless to get a good look at them and memorise their physical details and clothing. Listen for any names or other details that might help identify them later.
“Generally speaking, the first few minutes of a home invasion are the most dangerous, so ideally families need to ensure everyone within the family as well as all staff have been briefed on what to do if they ever find themselves confronted with a home invasion,” concluded Clarkson.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (please remember to include your contact details in the email) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
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