As we enter the long Easter weekend, many residents will be taking some much-needed time off for a well-deserved break.
The South African Police Service (Saps) would like to encourage the community to practice safety precautions and ensure that their home and valuables are protected.
Saps shares the following safety tips:
- Don’t let everyone you know that you’re going away – posting a status update that says you’ll be going away on vacation isn’t ideal for personal security. Keep what you share to a minimum, and rather share your vacation pictures and updates when you’re back from vacation.
- Be sure to have some form of lighting on for the night-time – people who have ill intentions will be able to see that nobody’s home at night.
- Let your neighbourhood watch and armed response company know that you’ll be gone.
- Switch off appliances to prevent any electrical fires from happening while you’re gone.
- Check that all doors and windows are locked. Any and all obstacles to the home will serve as deterrents for potential burglars.
- Don’t store items outside of your house – building materials, wood, etc. can all serve as a type of ladder or means to jump the wall of your property.
- Keep blinds and/or curtains closed – don’t let possible intruders see what’s available and valuable inside your home.
- Never leave extra keys in expected places – hiding emergency access keys around your home is not a good idea. Rather leave keys with a trusted neighbour or friend.
- Ask a neighbour to collect your mail – lots of mail filling up your mailbox is a key sign that you are not currently at home.
- Store precious items in unexpected places or a safe, ensure that your most important or expensive items are not accessible to others.
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