Keep your home safe while away
It is advisable to ensure the home’s safety features are all in working order before setting off for a long vacation to avoid being the victim of opportunistic crimes.
With a reported decline in property-related crimes, homeowners can go on holiday with slightly more peace of mind than they might have had before.
According to the latest SAPS crime report for Q2 2023, property-related crime is down by 4.1% compared to the same period last year.
The report defines property-related crime as “crimes during which tangible property of an individual or institution is taken by criminal elements without permission and in the absence of the owner/custodian of such property”.
On the stats for burglaries at residential premises in particular, the report shows this type of criminal activity is down by 5.9%
Despite this good news, regional director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, Adrian Goslett, said it is still vital for homeowners to take the necessary safety precautions to minimise the chances of their home being targeted over the holidays.
“It is advisable to ensure the home’s safety features are all in working order before setting off for a long vacation to avoid being the victim of opportunistic crimes,” he cautions.
To help homeowners prepare for trips away from home, RE/MAX of Southern Africa shares these household safety precautions:
• Test that all sensors on the alarm system work.
• Cut back plants near your outdoor security beams.
• Double-check the batteries on your alarm system. Consider backup power supplies for when load-shedding occurs.
• To avoid the home looking unoccupied, set some lights to an automatic timer or arrange for a house sitter.
• Double-check that all burglar bars and safety gates are securely fastened.
• Avoid posting on social media until after you have returned because this might alert cyber criminals that your home is vacant.
• Before leaving, ensure all windows and doors are properly closed and locked.
• Ask a neighbour to collect mail from your mailbox to avoid having flyers pile up and alerting criminals that nobody has been home in a while.
“Whether you choose to keep your home occupied or not, implementing these practical safety precautions will not only protect your property but can also give you some peace of mind that your home is safe while you are away,” Goslett concluded.
