Safety Tips

Home security should be your number one priority in your home, especially living in South Africa and even more so, when you’re planning to leave it empty when you go away on holiday, whether in December or throughout the year.

South Africans are security conscious and safety will always be a priority. Having a secure home will not only protect you and your family, your possessions and your property, but will also add value to your home. You can never be too cautious when it comes to protecting your home from unwanted intruders on your property.

There are plenty of methods to safeguard your household, some are everyday habits that we already do, while other procedures require more organisation, and thanks to advanced technology, today it’s easier than ever to protect your home from potential threats. Before leaving for your holiday, it is vital that everything in your home is operational so that you have peace of mind and come back to a safe home that is intact.

Triple check all doors, locks and windows before you leave and if you do not have one already, install a reliable security system whether a basic DIY one or a fully monitored smart system and have it linked to a trustworthy armed response security company. Also try adding in motion sensors, carbon monoxide and smoke detectors as well as other effective security measures such as: exterior beams, burglar-proof windows and electric fences. All detectors need to be checked regularly to ensure they are functioning and always ready.

Consider putting in a CCTV camera recording system that records when movement is detected and evidences any incidents in your home. Monitoring cameras allow you to see what is going on in your home from practically anywhere, on your phone, even if you’re half way across the continent.

Make sure your property is well-lit! Install energy-saving and solar lights around your whole house so that any dark corners for intruders to hide in, are eliminated, and even erecting a “Beware of the Dog” board can help deter burglars from entering your property.

Lastly, install a superior driveway gate which should have an anti-lift mechanism so it cannot be taken off its rails, and lock your gate motor with an anti-theft bracket. A mobile panic button should also be available through your armed response company in emergencies, if there should be anybody house-sitting your home while you’re away.

By ensuring maximum security measures for your home are taken, it will avoid unwanted stress later on for you and your family and allow you to have a much more relaxing time away on your well-deserved break! A safe home is a happy home!

You can find a great range of excellent, reliable and affordable security products at your local Mica Hardware. Just ask any of our friendly staff members to help you choose the right ones for your home.