The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation South Africa reports housebreaking or burglary as the most common crime in South Africa. A rough estimate of 1.2 million incidents of housebreaking in 2019/20 indicates that 8.91 million people were affected, which represents 5.3% of South Africa’s households. That’s a whole lot. Have you been a victim to a home burglary before or want to know how to avoid one. Check out the rest of this blog for some tips.
Your home is where you keep the most valuable possessions and the most important people in your life. In addition to suffering property damage and losing irreplaceable items, a burglary has an overwhelming emotional impact. In order to keep you and your family safe, we have developed a guide with steps to follow to avoid being a victim of a home invasion or burglary.
Check Out These 8 Tips For Assessing How Safe Your Home Is To Avoid A Burglary:
1. Make sure your post and parcels are received in the designated area
Due to the closure of many high street shops and businesses, people are turning to online shopping to purchase everything from food to daily needs, tools etc. There has been a sharp rise in e-commerce since the COVID-19 pandemic began; many consumers admit they shop online frequently and will continue to do so at the same rate or higher post-lockdown.
With more and more people switching from shopping trolleys to devices, it’s important to consider the implications of receiving parcels through the mail that are often left outside the home. If the homeowner is out of town or unable to answer the door, house burglaries or robberies are certain to occur. Having a secure lockable parcel box is a great way to receive mail and packages to avoid opportunistic thieves who might take advantage of the increased number of packages left outside.
Likewise, be cautious when recycling or disposing of packaging materials, letters and envelopes with your name, address, or other personal information on them, as they may be prime targets for anyone looking to commit identity theft.
2. Ensure that all doors around the house are secure
Homeowners are spending more time in their homes this year, but the threat of house burglary and theft still remains if they ignore old, weak doors with poor locking mechanisms that could be easy targets for house burglars. Therefore, upgrading entry points in your home will enhance its security.
In addition to improving your property’s aesthetics and security, new patio, sliding, and bi fold doors can also increase its value. Quality doors can also make a property safer, regardless of its age. A multi-point locking system that meets the security standard is likely to be the best choice.
3. Maintain the security of your windows
Installing new security systems will increase the security of your home and prevent it from becoming a victim of burglary. Today, windows with shatter-proof laminate glass, internal beading, sash window locks and security locking systems that are compliant with the standards can provide a protective barrier to your home’s exterior. A window locking system like the Twin-cam Security Locking (TSL) has up to eight locking points with adjustable twin-cams, offering even more security against burglars.
4. Avoid revealing valuables to unknown individuals and keep them in a safe place
Store valuables away from places where opportunists might steal them. If thieves know people are likely to be home, they will stay away, but if your expensive technology or possessions are visible from the street, it is most likely that your home is a potential target for a burglary. Curtains and blinds are a great way to conceal the items in your home. Beware of nosy neighbors who just want to see your home and delivery individuals who you let in to deliver items.
5. Be careful not to let burglars know that you are away from home
Your home needs to appear occupied by setting up lighting timers, investing in smart bulbs you can control remotely or investing in smart blinds you can operate remotely.
Other low-tech precautions include gate or door alarms, motion sensor lights, etc. If you have to leave the house and are not at home, you can ask your neighbour to park on your driveway while you are unavailable. Be sure your kitchen calendar cannot be seen from the outside so that burglars monitoring your home can’t easily tell when you are away.
6. Make sure gate entries are locked and tools and ladders hidden
It is common for thieves to take advantage of opportunities, and if they can sneak into your backyard through an open gate, they will likely do this. It is much easier for burglars to access unlocked outhouses and garages if ladders and hand tools are left out.
7. Improve your homes visibility
We all value our privacy and like to keep tall hedges at the front and back of our homes. However, this privacy may invite the opportunity for a burglary. The back garden of your home may be pretty difficult for burglars to access, so they will try to break in from the front, and if you have tall hedges in the front yard, you will offer them the perfect camouflage. You want your hedges to be just the right height so passers-by can easily see anyone lurking behind them to prevent burglaries.
8. Steps that discourage burglars the most
Security systems that can be seen by burglars such as CCTV are the most effective deterrent. Additionally, burglar alarms and motion sensors – which act as early warning systems – can be effective. CCTV systems are now very affordable, with cost-effective alternatives available that do not require professional installation. In order to discourage unwanted visitors, video doorbells can replace your existing doorbell and provide video footage of the front of your home. Many of us take home security for granted, but we should be proactive to eliminate even the slightest chance of a burglary. Secure all doors and windows; use timer switches; don’t keep large amounts of cash at home; keep your key holder away from windows; record the details of all valuables; and use your alarm while at home or if you are away.
A few simple precautions can reduce your risk of burglary, increase the security of your home and garden, and make it more difficult for any potential intruders to invade your home. Secure your home by constantly monitoring your surroundings, look out for any suspicious car parked in front of the house, and look for any unauthorized personnel working in your area. Having Dogs is the most effective security measure, the barking of a dog alerts us and acts as an early warning. Be cautious and alert authorities when you find any weird markings around your house or in the neighbourhood, as well as suspicious calls to your home phone.
Here are some tips to get you started. Keep your home and loved ones safe by being aware of potential security risks and taking action early. If you come home and notice your home has been broken into or sense suspicious activity on your property when you return, don’t go in straight away. Please call the Police and wait until they arrive. Investi-Centre is the best place to get the evidence you need to investigate an individual or group if you suspect them. Whatever your case needs, our professional investigating team will offer you a perfect solution.
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