Concerned with the recent increase in home burglaries in Roodepoort, APCAN Security Risk Management released tips on how criminals target a home.
Familiarity with the target and convenience of the location, visibility or ease of surveying and accessibility are just some of the key factors highlighted. The security company also released useful and helpful crime and burglary prevention steps for the community.
?Install quality locks on doors and windows, especially those that are not protected by burglar bars, and use them.
?Lock and close your doors and windows even when you’re home.
?Do not rely on thumb-turn locks on windows, as they can be unlocked through a broken window pane.
?Install deadbolt locks and peepholes on exterior doors and any interior door between the garage and house.
?Do not leave your garage door open or unlocked if you are not in the immediate area, even then, be alert.
?Immediately report any, and all suspicious activities by calling your Security Company or local SAPS sector vehicle.
?If you have an alarm, set it.
?Lighting is one of the best deterrents to night time burglaries — effective outdoor lighting is important. Install lights at all exterior doors and make fittings/ bulbs hard to reach.
?Do not let strangers into your home — this includes workers and other — if you are not with them.
?Never give keys to people making improvements to your home.
?If you are going to be out of town, have family, friends or neighbours check on your home.
?Do not hide spare house keys outside your home but leave them with a trusted neighbour instead.
?Photograph your valuables and engrave your property with a form of identification.
?Have locks changed or re-keyed when moving into a new home or apartment.
?Install track-type locks, drop bars, wooden dowels, or pinning devices on sliding glass doors.
?Trim shrubs around doors and windows so burglars don’t have a sheltered place to ‘work’ from. Keep your gate area, driveway and garage entrance clear.
?Store ladders in the garage or padlock them to fixed objects so burglars can’t use them to reach upper floor windows or the roof.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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