Chubb Security South Africa proposes that homeowners keep the following 10 simple but crucial security tips in mind as they start the New Year.
1. Seek qualified advice from a security consultant who will carry out a risk assessment and recommend an alarm system specifically suited to your property.
2. Make sure that your chosen security provider is a registered member of the South African Intruder Detection Service Associations (SAIDSA) as this is a guarantee that any work carried out by them and equipment installed meets the appropriate industry standards.
3. Test your alarm at least once a month and request the services of a technician immediately if your alarm is faulty. It is important to remember to inform your security provider that you are putting your system into the "Test" mode.
4. Where possible, install exterior lighting that can be controlled remotely from inside the house. It is also worth considering demand lighting which is activated by a motion detector.
5. Try to reduce foliage and bushes in the vicinity of your driveway as these act as good hiding places for would-be criminals.
6. Increase visibility – Do you have any high walls or tall hedges obscuring your view of the property? Try to remove these if possible.
7. Automatic gates are preferable as you don't have to leave the safety of your vehicle in order to access your premises.
8. Create a "safe area" in your home by fitting a wrought iron gate or an expanding grille gate into which the family can retreat in an emergency.
9. Install a safe to store valuable items and copies of keys. Wall safes are usually not fireproof and therefore not suitable for cash or documents.
10. Add an emergency number to the speed-dial function on your phone.
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Thank you for all the advisors I look forward to read your copy. – Ruth Ramaphakela
What a sad indictment on the human race! – Anonymous
11. Choose a security company whose re-action people do not first finish his lunch and than re-act ½ an hour after your panic goes off.
12. Choose a security company that does not phone you and say “Your alarm went off, do you want us to investigate.” He should be on the premises when he phones you!. – Leon van der Linde
No matter how much of the technical equipment you install, the final straw is that you rely on some human intervention to assist in responding. I have personally experienced and know that these companies, the likes of Chubb, pay the pittance to security staff who work ridiculous hours. This compromises the level of service that one can expect. Their adverts and advice serve to perpetuate fear that one feels compelled to have a service provider.
Take a look at the mail trail below to which I have not received a reply. Chubb responded to a break in and gave the all clear when the intruders were most likely were in my mothers (age :75 yrs) home, in which she lives alone. Fortunately she was away. – Anonymous
Some good extra security tips are.
1/ I have installed a CCTV security system using 4 cameras (infra red) to show all 4 outside walls of the house, coupled into the house TV system.
This will enable u to see on your home TV the outside of your house to view any possible intruders PRIOR to them gaining access to your house and to be able to take precautions to protect your self . IE load your 9mm and shoot the shit out of them!!!! – Anonymous
Biased, poorly resourced article obviously written by a security company drumming up business because all the non-vendor aspects are totally ignored. – Annoyed
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