Minimise the risk of a burglary in your home

You can never be too careful when it comes to home security. The Paulshof Residents and Taxpayers Association has offered some home security tips to prevent your house from being targeted by criminals.

The association said that most criminals would rather target properties that are easily accessible:

• Overgrown vegetation should be trimmed clear in front of the perimeter fence as well as inside the premises, to prevent intruders from hiding behind the foliage.
• Trees should be trimmed away from the perimeter fence to prevent criminals from using these branches to climb into your premises without being detected.
• Always ensure perimeter gates are locked and secured when not in use.
• At night, lock perimeter doors and fasten windows securely. When going to bed, lock inter-leading doors to those rooms that are not occupied and set your alarm.

Take note of these early warning systems:

• Make use of outside passives to alert you of any movement within the perimeter, if breached by an intruder.
• Should you move around within the perimeter, only deactivate the areas you move in as the rest can still detect any unwanted movement.
• Clear the areas around the passive where movement should be detected from obstructions and dense foliage.
• Always test these passives once a week to ensure that they are working effectively.

General security tips:

• Windows left open should not be visible from the street. Always lock perimeter doors and close windows that are far away from where the family activity is centred.
• Fit suitable ‘spacers’, locks or bolts to all sliding doors to prevent them from being lifted off their tracks (this is the most common method used to open sliding doors, windows and driveway gates).
• When purchasing valuable items, don’t throw the boxes in your refuse bin that show quality name brands – criminals are on the lookout for things to steal. Destroy the boxes and seal in a black plastic bag for recycling perhaps.
• If you are expecting a service provider, do not allow entry unless their identity has been checked and confirmed.
• Ask all employees for a copy of their identity documents and keep them on file.
• Get to know your neighbours – they are additional eyes and ears while you are not around.
• Suspicious movement can be noted and reported to the police.

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