People regularly ignore automated calls from their security company’s control room because they would rather speak to a person instead. According to security experts, this is one of many ways South Africans unintentionally increase their risk of becoming crime victims.

Security is big business in crime-riddled South Africa, but many homeowners do not give enough thought to maintaining their security systems or keeping their insurance policies up to date.

Industry experts say simple oversights – from failing to test an alarm system to not updating insurance information – can leave homeowners vulnerable to criminals and create complications if they need to claim after a burglary.

Kyriacos Floudiotis, growth manager at FNB short term insurance, says many burglary claims are delayed, reduced or declined because of documentation issues or policy conditions rather than the crime itself.

Common problems include failing to report the theft promptly, not opening a police case, lacking proof of ownership such as receipts or serial numbers, not specifying high-value items separately where required, failing to maintain required security measures, underinsuring the property or not informing the insurer about significant changes such as renovations or long periods when the home is vacant.

He recommends homeowners keep an updated inventory of their possessions, review insured values annually, ensure security systems remain operational and notify insurers whenever significant changes are made to the property or its contents.

Alarm systems need attention

Alastair Partridge, the managing executive of Axon Security, says one of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is assuming their alarm system will work when needed.

He recommends testing alarm systems every month or two with the security company, including panic buttons, perimeter beams and individual alarm zones, rather than simply checking whether the keypad switches on.

Backup batteries also require attention, particularly during power outages.

“Clients should never ignore a battery-low notification and should arrange for the battery to be tested and replaced where necessary,” says Partridge.

He also encourages homeowners to use available technology properly, including downloading their security company’s app, keeping emergency contact details current and responding to automated verification calls.

“Automated call systems are not intended to remove the human element. They allow the client to give the control room an immediate instruction: Send armed response, cancel a false alarm or transfer the call to a controller. A clear response through the automated prompts can often be processed faster than waiting for a conventional telephone conversation,” he says.

Beware of a false sense of security

Steven Voortman of Verifier says expensive technology is not always effective if it has been poorly designed or maintained.

He says badly positioned cameras, blind spots, poorly specified sensors and low-cost installations often create a false sense of security. Homeowners should also ensure cameras remain clean and free of dirt, spider webs and overgrown vegetation, recommending they be cleaned at least every six months.

Voortman also advises homeowners not to rely on a single company for every aspect of their security without asking questions about accountability and transparency.

“A system is only ever as good as its upkeep,” he says, adding that homeowners should periodically seek an independent assessment to ensure their existing security technology still meets their needs.

Partridge says communities also play an important role in preventing crime, but residents should avoid spreading unverified information on neighbourhood WhatsApp groups.

Instead, suspicious activity should be reported factually to security companies, allowing response teams to deploy resources where they are most needed.

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