Residents Action Group gives safety tips for this silly season

Security NPO Residents Action Group (RAG) has urged residents to be alert and security conscious during the upcoming public holidays and long weekends and over the festive season.

RAG warned that there is usually a sharp increase in crime in South Africa at this time.

Here are some security tips from RAG for residents who will be at home for the holidays:

• Be alert when driving home from shopping centres or outings, especially when entering your property.

Turn off the radio as you approach your destination, be alert and carefully survey the surroundings. Drive on if anything seems out of place.

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Call security immediately if you notice anything suspicious.

If you are concerned about arriving home in the dark, request a tuck-in service, which RAG offers to members.

• Have your finger on your panic button while your gate opens and closes.

Stop just inside your gate and watch it close behind you.

If your garden beams are armed, only deactivate them when the gate is securely closed.

Do not open the house or garage until the gate is closed.

Have a mobile panic button on your key ring.

• Make sure that your beams are activated early each evening – whether you are indoors or entertaining on your patio.

Guests are no deterrent to criminals, and parties where gates are being opened and closed, people are coming and going, and security is lax, can attract opportunistic criminals.

• Set your alarm at night and every time you leave the house.

• Always call in suspicious activity.

RAG’s 24-hour control centre can be reached on 082 322 3333 or 011 455 7022.

For those going away, RAG offered the following advice:

• Never ignore a message from your security service provider warning of a low battery signal.

Criminals may turn off a house’s electricity and wait for the alarm battery to run down.

This is one of the reasons why it is very important to have a keyholder when you go away.

A friend, neighbour or family member must be able to access your house if there is an incident and to turn the power back on if necessary and ensure that your alarm is activated.

If you are travelling to somewhere with limited connectivity, you should give your keyholder’s contact details to your security service provider, so that they can be contacted about a low battery warning from your alarm.

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• Check that all your security equipment is in good working order, including alarms, beams, gate motors and cameras.

Test your alarm, beams and armed response monitoring before you go away, to make sure that everything is working properly.

• Check your electric fence.

Trim overhanging branches and foliage around it.

With the rain, plants grow quickly and can trigger your alarm.

If there is an overactive or cycling alarm, your security company may think it is faulty.

• Make sure that you do not leave signs that you are away and your house is unoccupied.

The lawn should be mowed.

Remove washing from the line and take in the rubbish bins and recycling bags.

Having curtains closed all day may appear suspicious, so leave them exactly as you would when you’re at home.

An unkempt driveway and a collection of newspapers or mail is a sign that criminals will look out for.

• Make sure that valuables such as laptops are not visible from the windows.

• Ensure that all the windows are secure and that all the doors have been locked before you leave.

• You could install timer switches that turn the lights on and off.

Consider installing motion-sensor lights on your property, and if you have these, make sure all the bulbs work before you leave.

• Remember to put on your alarm before you leave.