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Burglary empowerment strategies

This is an extract from the “your safety” meeting held in October 2007 where Francois Marais shared information. As he commented, life in SA right now isn’t a spectator sport so it’s really sensible to empower yourselves rather than shrug your shoulders and do nothing.

As Francois also said, what follows isn’t rocket science but do yourselves a favour and check just how secure your home really is.

  • If you’ve just moved into your home, especially if you’ve done renovations, change all the locks! Whatever this might cost you, it’ll be a lot cheaper than putting yourself at risk of being cleaned out.
  • For maximum protection, your entry door(s) should be solid and fitted with dead bolts, not spring loaded locks as these are easily opened with a credit card or such like. Sliding doors should have extra long bolts.
  • Are you sure that your alarm system – if you have one – is of good quality? Always get 3 quotes. Be an informed consumer, check out exactly what you’re getting. When did you last test your alarm system? Do so regularly. Do you ever change your key pad number?
  • Passive infra-red lights on the outside should be installed. If you have an electric fence, is it linked to your alarm system?
  • Motion-sensitive lights are better around the outside of your home – you are more likely to be alerted as they come on, rather than having lights on all night. If you do have floodlights, rather have them shine towards your house – if someone is in your garden, the further away the lights the bigger will be the shadow.
  • Don’t have your home completely concealed from the road. Make sure that you don’t have shrubs near your entrance that would allow a person to conceal themselves. Have you got trees on the border of your property that someone can climb?
  • Remember – your house has 5 sides, ie the roof. It’s very easy to remove tiles… Secure your trap door and connect it to your alarm system.
  • Try breaking in to your own house – it might frighten you to see how easy it is.
  • Video or photograph each room, with the cupboard doors open. It can save you a lot of bother if you are burgled. Mark your valuables and record serial numbers.
  • If you have purchased a major capital item such as a DVD recorder, TV, music centre, microwave etc. DON’T leave the packaging outside your gate for Mondi or Pikitup to collect. You are inviting passing unwelcome visitors into your home to remove the item. This will be more important at Christmas time. 
  • Store seldom-used valuables off-site.
  • Why do we tend to store valuables in the main bedroom? Rather find another place!
  • Crooks are resourceful… How accessible is your mail box to the street? Do you lock it? Could someone remove a bank statement and get your bank account details? What can you do to improve the location of your mail box? When they’ve got your name, there are all sorts of scams, ranging from bogus Telkom employees, to calling you with “you’ve won a prize – a dinner for two…” Off you go – to return to a burgled home…
  • NEVER leave your garage door open or leave ladders and tools lying around. Most garages have plenty of equipment that will be pretty handy for your burglar – and it saves him carting around a suspicious crowbar or other tools.
  • Don’t leave any information on your answering machine that would assist a would-be crook (“..The Smiths are away for three weeks, please call us at the end of January…” is a no-no!)
  • Crooks love personalised number plates… “Hello Anita…”… Don’t display your name on your house or car.

If you’re away…
If you’re out or away, have several lights, the TV and/or radio on a timer.

Close all the doors and windows – and don’t leave valuables such as a laptop near an open window. Close your bathroom windows at night, even if you are at home.

If away, make sure a trusted friend or neighbour close by has keys to access your property and knows how to contact you. Ask them to clear your mail box and park their car in your driveway for a time.

Golden rules

  • Never confront a burglar. You can replace your TV but not your life.
  • Obey your instincts if you think there is something suspicious. If you see evidence of tampering, DO NOT enter the house. Call your security company or SAPS.
  • Your risk is highest when entering or leaving your home. Have your house/car keys in your hand… the driveway is not the place to scrabble in your handbag desperately trying to find them ‘somewhere’.
  • ALWAYS do pre-employment screening. Get a copy of the person’s ID, take a photograph of them, check out the info at your nearest police station.

 

 

Updated October 2007