Home security is a key feature for homeowners in South Africa, here are a few security tips on how to make your home safer and deter burglars.
The problem with having a hide-a-key is that you need to put it in a place that is relatively easy to find and remember — but this also makes it easy for an experienced burglar. Instead, opt for a smart door lock that can be unlocked with a key as well as a unique user code. This code can be shared with friends and family, allowing them access to your home without having to risk a spare key being found by a burglar.
You'll notice one of the common threads on this list is simply not making yourself an available target — it’s by far the most important piece of advice we can give. If it doesn’t look like you have much to steal, it can be enough to encourage burglars to move on to the next house. If you have a nice car, keep it in the garage. If you have a big TV, keep the windows closed at night. If you just got something new and expensive, don't leave the box by the street. The last thing you want is to be the lowest hanging fruit on the tree.
Latches on Wendy house doors appear to be easily broken by thieves who then have enough time to sift through contents.
Homeowners should consider fitting double locks.
A layered approach to security is advised. An electric fence, gate or beams attached to your alarm system with a siren will notify you the minute someone attempts to enter your property.
You could also install cameras to watch over external workshops and protect your costly goods.
Motion activated lights are another cost-effective option.
It's best to be aware of criminals when they are at your parameter rather than at your door.
Motion-activated lights, especially as part of a larger automated home system, can be a perfect last-ditch way to keep burglars and criminal out of your home. A sudden spotlight can often be enough to convince a burglar to give up on his break-in attempt.
While your first floor doors and windows may be armed and ready to go, we often forget to ensure that our second floor entry points are just as safe. Window sensors, glass-break detectors and locks are also vital to keeping burglars from trying to enter your home through the second floor. Make sure you close all windows at night and while you're away, and think about using smart plugs to turn on a light or two while you’re gone to give the appearance that someone is home.
To continue this idea of working as a team, if you are ever away from home for an extended period of time, it’s a good idea to have your neighbours collect your mail, mow your lawn and do other things that prevent your home from looking empty. Even leaving your car in the same spot can be a tip off to burglars that your home is empty and a potential target. If you aren’t friendly with your neighbours, you can consider leaving a few lamps on in the house to give the appearance that someone is home. The biggest fear of most burglars is confronting a homeowner, so make sure your home doesn’t have a bulls-eye on it.
More and more criminals opt to carry knives or other sharp objects such as screwdrivers during armed robberies, housebreakings, and hi-jacking.
This may well be due to the easy availability of these objects or the lack of access to guns; however, these objects are not to be misconstrued as being any less lethal.
Knife attacks are highly violent crimes.
A blade has no respect for how strong and fearless you are. How knife attacks typical occur offers the victim very little chance of avoiding the first blow. This is because the aggressor carrying a knife will always conceal his weapon until the last moment.
Due to this element of surprise (and the proximity), the first blow is difficult to avoid. The aggressor often tends to work fast to avoid being caught, and once they get the first stab, many more rapid punctures occur. Victims tend to block and fistfight, which does not help when a blade is coming at you. Others tend to move backwards and fall over.
Should you be held at knifepoint, comply. Your handbag or cellphone is not worth your life.
If you can escape - if you are aware of someone coming towards you that looks suspicious and is appearing to be concealing a weapon - move away. The person must be close to you to stab you, so disengage. Think of the aggressor's line of attack and move out of the way – use the angle against him and flank your opponent if possible.
If you are inevitably attacked, know that the aggressor will often lead with his empty hand and will usually aim for the left side of your body (abdomen, lungs, and throat).
Constantly try to get out of his line of attack rather than fall over.
Place barriers between you and the attacker: a chair, a tree, a bag, whatever you can find. Protect your vital organs.
Your car keys are not nearly as helpful as your belt in this situation. Thankfully, some stats suggest after seven seconds of getting nowhere, the attacker may flee.
If you are stabbed, apply pressure to the wound and get medical assistance asap.
Let’s be proactive about our safety.
Step one is ensuring your home is secure. No one knows the blind spots better than you, and now is as good time as any, to close those gaps.
Follow these 9 safety tips to improve your home security.
1. Ensure your panic buttons are installed in accessible areas and your children can also reach them. Show children, frequent visitors such as grandparents and your domestic workers where the panic buttons are located and explain how they work, so they are familiar with the process in case of an emergency.
2. For optimal functionality and to reduce false alarms, ensure the passives you have installed suit the environmental need. There are four types: standard sensors, those for harsh environments where temperatures fluctuate such as kitchens, microwave sensors that detect motion, and pet friendly detectors.
3. Get an accurate assessment of your security requirements from the outset, to ensure the panel is big enough to accommodate all your zones.
4. All security panels need to be protected by a passive to prevent tampering.
5. Keypads need to be installed in easily accessible and reachable areas, especially if your alarm has entry and exit delay, to prevent false alarms.
6. It’s advisable you have a smoke detector installed, specifically in your kitchen area, and have it link to your alarm system.
7. Do not rely solely on magnetic contacts on windows, these should be backed up by a passives as an additional security measure.
8. Arming and disarming your alarm system via remote is advisable and offers the convenience of not having to rush to beat the entry and exit delay. In addition LED lights can be installed to indicates which zones have been armed, which is advantageous in both reducing false alarms and deterring burglars.
9. It’s important to properly maintain the good condition of your alarm system. Regularly test it to ensure all the additional components are in good working order.
Giving of money, food, clothing etc. to children and adults begging on the streets does not help them. Instead, it enables their addiction or dependency on begging and prolongs their life on the street.
Many of the beggars are known addicts with criminal tendencies. It is a known fact that many of these beggars use the money or sell the food and clothing you have given them to support their habit. Encouraging begging attracts more beggars from other areas into our area and crime escalates. This is evident in other neighbourhoods around the greater Durban area where begging has been left unchecked.
There are many NGO's who are geared towards providing the relief that these beggars require to restore their dignity and place in society.
Please do not contribute to the ever increasing problem. Rather give responsibly to organisations that have structured programmes in place.