- Know all emergency numbers.
- Make provision for good outside lighting at night.
- Don’t leave your gates, garage, front or back door open or partially open.
- Never open the door automatically when the doorbell rings and make sure the person is expected. Make domestic workers and children aware of scams where people try to gain entry to the house to fix something, and then rob the house.
- Make sure domestic workers know to always check the identity of strangers visiting for business purposes and for them to stay out of reach from the gate to prevent being grabbed.
- A watchdog is a good early warning system. Keep it visible as a deterrent but beyond the reach of strangers. The inexplicable death of a watchdog is a warning sign of a possible burglary.
- If your house alarm goes off, or you hear strange noises or your dogs bark, switch on the outside lights if it’s at night.
- Report suspicious characters who pose a threat to the police. When employing someone make a copy of their identity document and do security clearances at the police.
- Install the best security you can afford, for example security gates on outside doors. Keep these gates locked.
- When approaching your house entrance ensure that it is safe to enter and that you have not been followed. Be aware of people loitering.
- Always keep your keys safe to prevent duplication thereof. Once you have locked your door from the inside remove the key and place it in a safe place.
- Know your neighbours and build a relationship of mutual trust and support so arrangements could be made to come to your rescue if you’re in danger. When going away, inform them. Exchanging of phone numbers or signalling methods could be made if you should find yourself in distress.
- Keep cash and valuables in banks or safes.
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