Protect and secure your property

It is therefore imperative for homeowners to take the right precautions and not let their guard down.

According to Liaan Horton, general manager at a local security company, people tend to ease up on their safety measures when they are in holiday mode.

“The devil is in the detail and sometimes it’s being diligent with the small things that make the biggest difference,” he says.

Here are a few practical tips you can keep in mind during the festive season:

• Before you leave for vacation, you may decide to close your curtains to prevent people from peering inside your home to see whether you’re there.

However, closed curtains also stop those who aim to help including the police, your neighbours or friends, from seeing inside your house.

So what’s your best bet?

Leave your curtains exactly as you usually keep them when you’re home since noticeable changes could hint that you’re not around anymore, especially if your curtains are uncharacteristically left closed for two weeks.

Move expensive items, like jewellery or computers, out of plain sight if they’re visible from the window.

• Don’t leave your lights on at home throughout your entire vacation in an effort to make it look like someone is in the house.

Your electricity account will end up more costly than your mortgage, and house lights blazing throughout the night might look a bit suspicious.

Instead, purchase a light switch timer that can turn your lights on and off automatically according to a programmed schedule.

Criminals keeping an eye on your house will notice lights flipping on and off, and will probably assume someone is doing the flipping.

• Unplug your television, computer, toaster oven and other appliances to protect them from power surges.

This will help you save power as well; many appliances draw energy even when they’re turned off.

• Sliding doors can be secured simply by placing a piece of timber cut to size in the sliding rail.

This is to ensure that sliding doors cannot be lifted vertically.

Do not leave ladders, spades or tools outside, as they can be used to break into your house.

Have good exterior lighting, preferably on a timer.

Horton says full fencing and sturdy gates are a good deterrent.

Close and lock all windows and doors and ensure all windows have burglar bars.

Fit suitable locks and bolts to all sliding doors as a means to prevent burglars from lifting the glass off its tracks – the most common method for break-ins.

Having security gates fitted on outer doors is a highly effective security measure that gives you an extra line of defense.

Clear signage indicating that you have security also helps to discourage burglars.

Be aware of persons loitering at the entrance.

If you buy luxury goods, cut up the boxes and dispose of these in tied black bags – a branded box is a telltale sign of what thieves could find in your house.

• Inform your neighbours of your holiday plans so that they can keep an eye on your property.

• Another important security tip is to be discreet when preparing to go away.

People should where possible pack their cars in their garage.

• Homeowners should also never leave a message on their answering machine stating they are out of town.