Make Safety a Habit at Home

As we’ve indicated many times, the safety of your loved ones and property must be part of your lifestyle; entrenched in your daily routine, and the comings and goings of your family.

The top safety tips for 2017 which we’re going to share with you rest on the foundation that security must become a habit at home.

After all, our homes should be our safe haven and place of peace. We did say “should be”. The reality though, as we know, is far from the truth in South Africa.

Residential crimes are rife and, unfortunately, many of these are violent or turn violent. Criminals once again had rich pickings over the December holiday, when many homeowners took a well-deserved and hard-earned break away from their daily lives, leaving their homes vulnerable to burglars.

Sadly, too many of these homeowners didn’t make the safety and security of their properties and homes a priority before they left on holiday, and returned to the reality of having been burgled or their dog poisoned, or worse.

If safety is a 365-day-a-year consideration in your life, you lower the risk of being targeted, tremendously. We’re not saying you need to be paranoid and spend every waking-minute thinking about how to tighten up your security, but what we are saying is set the foundation for good home security, ensure it is maintained and you’ll be surprised at how effortless keeping your family safe actually is.

The foundation:

• Secure your perimeter with a solid gate and proper, good-quality fencing and locks.

• Install outdoor beams, if possible. Alternatively, install sensor lights.

• Secure your doors and windows with proper, good-quality security bars and gates. A gate with a slamming lock design, such as the Maxidor Slamlock™, gives you the crucial seconds you need to put yourself out of harm’s way in the event of an emergency. Remember, this type of security system is also suited to windows, passages and other entrances.

• Install an alarm system, monitored by a security service provider.

• Equip your family and staff with panic buttons.

The cement to your foundation:

• Check your perimeter regularly for any weak spots, and keep shrubs and other foliage trimmed back, so that you always have a good view of the gate.

• If you’re leaving a door open, make sure that the security gate is locked and the key removed to a secure place.

• Teach everyone in the household how to use the alarm properly, to avoid false activations.

• Develop a family emergency plan and ensure that everyone on the property knows what to do in the event of an emergency, whether a criminal, medical or fire emergency.

We trust you’ll take this advice to heart as your top safety tips for 2017.