Home Security this Christmas

FESTIVE SEASON SECURITY TIPS

13 November 2006: With the festive season fast approaching, we are left with many

decisions and preparations to make before packing our trailers and making our way to

our holiday destinations. Ensuring the security of family and property is a key priority at

this time.

“Statistics clearly show that criminal activity increases during the holiday season and it

is therefore imperative for homeowners to take the right precautions and not let their

guard down,” says Mark Norton, General Manager of ADT Security.

According to Norton, there are several handy tips to bear in mind which can help

alleviate the risk to family and property. “The first and most important step to take is to

ensure that your alarm is in working order. People tend to forget that an alarm system,

like a car, has parts that age and wear out and therefore should be serviced at least

once a year.”

Spectacular thunderstorms during the summer months, can also wreak havoc on alarm

systems. As a result of this, clients should regularly check their systems in case of

lightning damage. Homeowners who have house insurance should also consider that in

the event of a burglary, their insurance company will, in all likelihood, question whether

they have properly maintained their alarm.

“December is traditionally a busy period for security companies, so homeowners

should try and test their alarms at least three weeks before going on holiday. Testing

should be done anytime (ideally between 0800 and 2000 hours Mon-Fri) and if a fault

is discovered, it can be immediately reported to the security service provider’s

technical team.”

Another important security tip is to be discreet when preparing to go away. “People

should where possible pack their cars in their garage. Homeowners should also never

leave a message on their answering machine stating that they are out of town,” advises

Norton.

Additional security tips to follow include:

• Advise your security company if you are going away and ensure that you supply

all the necessary information regarding nearby emergency contacts, in case of

an emergency

• Inform your neighbours of your holiday plans so that they can keep an eye on

your property

• Stop all newspaper deliveries and ask a friend or neighbour to collect your post.

A bulging post box is a real giveaway that you are not at home

• If hiring a house sitter, ensure that you teach them how to use your alarm

correctly

• Double check that you have locked and secured all windows and doors before

leaving home

• Ensure that all your outside locks are a minimum of four lever locks or double

cylinder security locks

• Never leave a key in the inside of an outer door which has glass panels or glass

near the door lock

• Having security gates fitted on outer doors is a highly effective security measure

that gives you an extra line of defence

• Sliding doors can be secured simply by placing a piece of timber cut to size in

the sliding rail. Make sure that sliding doors cannot be lifted vertically

• Full fencing and sturdy gates are a good deterrent

• Have good exterior lighting, preferably on a timer

• Do not leave ladders, spades or tools outside, as they can be used to

• break into your house

• Clear signage indicating that you have security also helps to discourage burglars

“The festive season should be a time of relaxation and giving but let’s ensure that we

are not giving our belongings to criminals on a golden platter,” concludes Norton.