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With the end of year festive season upon us, South Africans are flocking to their favourite holiday destinations – often with little or no thought for potential problems that might arise during their absence from home.
Taking the time and trouble to ensure that their homes are safe and secure before they head off can only add to the sense of well-being and peace of mind that is synonymous with the holiday season.
Santam, the country's largest short-term insurer, recommends that holiday-makers spend some time considering ways and means of improving home safety and security. By understanding their potential risk, consumers are better able to minimise that risk.
The following are some of the tips supplied by Santam on securing one's property prior to going on holiday.
Give the appearance that the house remains occupied
In the first instance it is important that holiday-makers maintain a 'lived-in' appearance at their homes. Overflowing rubbish bins and mail-boxes, newspapers and other regular deliveries piled up in front of a house, are a sure sign that the house is vacant.
Make sure therefore that your mail is re-directed, collected by a neighbour or held at the post office. Cancel all deliveries and try to get a neighbour to regularly clear your mail box of advertising and junk mail. If possible, get the neighbour to put your rubbish bin out for collection at the usual time, or alternatively, lock it away in a garage.
Arrange to keep pathways free of papers and other debris, do not leave notes advertising your absence, and ask neighbours not to inform callers that you are away on leave. An easy thing to do is to turn the volume down on your telephone on the day you go on leave to ensure that unanswered telephone calls do not alert others to the fact that nobody is home.
Lighting
It's usually a good idea to leave some lights on, as well as a television or radio, to give the impression that someone is at home – even during the day. Even better, invest in external floodlighting that is linked to a passive infra-red detector that automatically activates lights when someone enters its field of vision.
Securing your home internally
There are a wide range of security devices available to secure your home, and most locksmiths, security companies and insurance companies will willingly provide information on the most suitable device for your home.
In addition, it is easy and cheap to fit locks to your windows, which is where most burglars gain access. And if you have good quality steel security doors at your entrances, this will help too. Alternatively, fit security deadlocks to your main exit doors – as these can only be opened with a key, they prevent burglars from smashing a nearby glass and opening the door from the inside, and also prevent burglars who have gained access through a window from carrying your property out through the doors.
A small investment in quality locks will help to protect your possessions, particularly items which cannot be adequately replaced by insurance. Make sure that your most valuable possessions are stored in the most secure area or room in your home before you leave for your holiday, or placed in a safe at your local bank.
Securing your home externally
Garden tools left lying about may provide an offender with the means to break into your home. Ensure all tools are locked away in the garden shed or garage. The shed or garage should be fitted with a strong lock or a chain and padlock. Treat doors and windows in your shed or garage the same you would those in your house.
Ladders, wheelie bins and large items can give easy access to the roof. Do not leave these around the yard as someone else may use them for that purpose.
By applying these simple tips, holiday-makers can help to protect their homes and possessions and ensure that their holidays are that much more enjoyable.
Source: Lange Strategic Communications on behalf of Santam
