Many residents of Shabalala have in recent weeks returned home to find that some of their belongings had been stolen.
According to Hazyview SAPS’ spokesman, Const AJ Phifadi, this area is currently a hot spot for burglaries. She says burglars aren’t targeting homes at night as most people would expect, but are now doing so during the day when residents are at work. She urges them to sharpen up their security measures to prevent these burglaries.
Here are a few ways to safeguard your property and belongings without spending a fortune:
• Make sure there are no gaps in your fence or wall and use barbed wire or palisades to prevent people from jumping over
• Close your windows when you’re not using the room and install burglar bars
• Keep your valuables locked in drawers or a safe hidden in a closet or wardrobe
• Make sure no valuables are visible from the outside by keeping them in drawers or closets and keeping the curtains closed
• Dogs and other animals like chickens are excellent warning systems. Make sure your dogs are taught not to accept food from strangers as many burglars put poison in meat and feed it to them
• Plant prickly bush or shrubs around the perimeter of your garden as they can act as an inexpensive barrier
• Keep your property clean by removing rubble and bush which can serve as hideaways for burglars
• Change up your routine as burglars often keep watch over a house for several weeks before striking
• Make sure that your locks are difficult to open or reinforce entry doors.
