Spokesperson for King Price Wynand van Vuuren shares tips that you can use to enjoy the long, cool evenings ahead.
Get ready for blackouts
Because of an increase in heating and lighting, winter places a bigger demand on the national power grid, which means blackouts are a reality you need to prepare for. Be ready with back-up power supplies to keep your lights, gate motors and security systems working at all times.
Don’t let the post box give you away
The winter school holidays are one of the longest, so many families pack up and head off to the coast for some sunny beach time. Nothing gives away an unoccupied home more than a pile of letters spilling out of the post box. Ask your neighbours or a reliable friend to clean out the post box every few days, and while they’re there, to do a quick home check.
Keep the curtains closed
If the lights are on and the curtains are open, criminals can easily see what valuable items you have in your home, like that new flat screen TV, while it’s even harder for you to see them if they’re outside. Draw the curtains to stop your home becoming a shopping catalogue, and also keep the heat in, so you’ll save on your electricity bill. Win-win!
Fire proof your pad
Fires during winter are commonly caused by gas heaters, electrical appliances and that cosy fireplace that’s left burning by mistake. Before leaving the house, ensure that all plugs are turned off and teach the kids to do the same.
Coming home
Make sure your driveway is well lit. Motion sensors are helpful for lighting up the driveway as you arrive home. And the same goes for public parking spaces. Choose well-lit and security-controlled parking areas. And if you can, keep your trusty steed safely tucked away in a secure garage, always taking your valuables indoors and not leaving them in the boot overnight.
Layer up
Just like wearing lots of layers will help you stay warm in winter, multi-layering your security will offer you more protection. Take that expensive bike you treated yourself to. It’s good to put it behind a door with a padlock, but better to chain it down with a ground anchor and another padlock inside a garage. Think about how you fit the padlock’s chain too; run it through the frame and the wheels, so it stays put. And if you’re still worried, check out some decent insurance for your valuable, like the king's R1 a month .
Be a good neighbor
This goes for all seasons, the more eyes and ears we have, the better. Get to know your neighbors, and if you see something dodgy, let them know.
