The holiday season is a time for celebration, family gatherings, and well-deserved vacations. However, it’s also a peak period for home burglaries as criminals often take advantage of empty houses and distracted homeowners. Protecting your home during this time is essential to ensure a stress-free holiday.
READ: 8 security tips for your garage and garage door openers
“Investing in security features not only provides peace of mind and protects your loved ones and belongings, but it can also increase your home's overall value. Buyers today prioritise safety, and a well-secured home with modern systems can be a strong selling point when listing your home,” says Adrian Goslett, Regional Director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa.
To help homeowners keep their properties safe this holiday season, RE/MAX of Southern Africa shares a few security tips.
Make Your Home Look Occupied
An empty home is an easy target for burglars. Use timers on lights, TVs, and radios to create the illusion that someone is home. Smart home systems allow you to control your lights and appliances remotely, adding an extra layer of convenience and security. Outdoor lighting can also deter intruders by eliminating dark corners and entry points. Install motion-activated lights around your home’s perimeter and ensure pathways and entryways are well-lit.
Secure Doors and Windows
Ensure all doors and windows are locked before leaving the house, even if you’re just stepping out briefly. Install deadbolts on exterior doors, add security gates, and burglar bars to windows. As a bonus, these kinds of fixed security installations will also boost the home’s resale value.
Check your security system
Before heading into the holiday season, it’s crucial to ensure your security system is fully functional. Test all components, including motion detectors, cameras, alarms, and any smart features such as remote monitoring or app notifications. Replace weak batteries in wireless devices and verify that all sensors are securely attached to doors and windows. Cut back any plants that could block visibility of the cameras or accidentally trip the alarm sensors.
Make sure you are accurately insured
Even with the best security measures in place, it’s wise to ensure your homeowner’s insurance is up-to-date. Take an inventory of your belongings and keep records, including photos, for easier claims in case of theft or damage.
By taking these simple yet effective precautions, you can enjoy the festive season with greater peace of mind. “Whether you’re celebrating at home or traveling, securing your property will ensure your holidays remain joyful and worry-free. Stay safe, and happy holidays,” says Goslett.
READ: Is a burglar alarm enough? Security tips to protect your home
Home-Dzine offers two security options for homeowners to consider:
1. A metal or wooden block to secure sliding doors
Sliding patio doors are often not the most secure and since they’re at the back of the house out of view they are a very appealing target for any would-be burglars. However, no matter how many locks, they pick or windows they break to unlock the door, if you put a piece of wood or metal into the path of the sliding door, there’s no way they can get short of breaking down the door and making tons of noise.
2. Metal-framed security doors
This type of door is typically a metal frame with or without added mesh screening that serves as an extra barrier between the door to your house and the outside world. The benefits of the simple addition of security doors are more multifaceted than simply being another layer of protection. These doors are fastened on tight and are much more resistant to being broken down or having their locks manipulated to open the door without a key.
With a security door you’re able to open your first door while still giving no opportunity for any would-be thief to get a good look at what’s inside of your house. On top of that, should someone unknown to you be knocking at your door, you can quickly jump out of the way and know that if they decide to try and forcibly enter your home the police will be well on their way before they even start making a dent in it.
Some of the most effective security tips are also the simplest. Sometimes a more sophisticated answer is required when thieves are using clever tactics, but the vast majority of home break-ins can be avoided or stopped in their tracks with simple tips like these. Don’t overthink it, but make sure your home is secured.
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