As the festive season approaches and homeowners prepare their properties with renovations, clean-ups, and service appointments, it’s important to remember that these improvements can come with increased security risks.

Charnel Hattingh, group head of marketing and communications at Fidelity Services Group, urges homeowners to stay vigilant during this time.

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“A reliable contractor should be able to provide references, and we recommend reaching out to these before signing any agreements. You can also research the company or individual online for potential red flags, such as incomplete contact details or a missing official website.”

Homeowners may uncover additional information through online searches, including past customer experiences and project outcomes. This can reveal insights not mentioned in formal references, such as recurring issues with workmanship, plumbing, tiling, or general finishing.

Inviting tradespeople, contractors, or cleaning crews into your home introduces outsiders to your property and routines. Without careful planning, this can leave you exposed to opportunistic crime.

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To help mitigate risks, Fidelity ADT recommends the following safety tips during home renovations:

Top home security tips during renovations

• Vet your contractors thoroughly
• Check references, online presence, and past work. Look out for red flags such as poor reviews or inconsistent contact details
• Understand who’s on site
• Ask if workers are permanent staff or casual hires. Ensure supervisors are clearly identified and present
• Trust your instincts
• If a contractor seems unreliable or evasive, reconsider. Ensure there’s a clear, open line of communication with a point of contact
• Secure your systems first
• Before work begins, ensure alarms, electric fencing, CCTV, and other security systems are active or upgraded
• Protect your valuables
• Lock away valuables, hide spare keys, and limit contractor access to only necessary areas
• Keep panic buttons accessible
• Ensure all family members know where panic buttons are and how to use them in case of emergency
• Use pets as a deterrent — safely
• Guard dogs can be effective, but make sure pets are safe around workers and do not pose a risk to anyone on site
• Consider casual guarding services
• Hiring a temporary officer during renovation periods, especially when gates or doors are frequently open, adds a strong layer of protection.

“Renovations can be exciting, but also create vulnerabilities. Taking proactive measures ensures that work proceeds safely and your home remains secure,” added Hattingh.

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