Cold weather does not deter criminals
Cold weather doesn't mean criminals won't strike. Take these precautions to make sure you remain safe this winter.
The cold weather during the winter months keeps many people indoors, but in some cases not even this is enough to keep criminals at bay. There are a number of practical measures that can be taken to improve your safety and the safety of your loved ones, as well as the safety of your belongings, during the winter months. Mike Kidson, managing director of ADT Northern Region, said the first step is to be more aware of what is going on around you, especially in the mornings and evenings when it is dark outside.
“When leaving home, at any time of the day, always ensure that all doors and safety gates in and around your home are properly locked and that you have activated the alarm system before you shut the door behind you. If you are going out alone, possibly to the shops or the gym, it is important that you let someone know when you are expected to return.”
Another good idea is to make sure your home does not appear empty, regardless of whether you are at home or not. “Visibility can be drastically reduced on grey, gloomy days and criminals could take advantage of this to try to enter your property. Turn on the lights in one or two rooms, possibly one at the front and another at the rear of the house.”
He warned that the driveway gate should never be left open, even if someone is at home or if you plan to be away for only a short while. Open gates are seen as an invitation to come onto your property. Kidson added that exercising caution when driving into or out of your property is equally as important. He said grey conditions or heavy rainfall could divert your attention from what is happening around you, leaving you vulnerable to being caught off-guard by criminals.
“If you have an electric gate, open it before you turn into your driveway. This will prevent hijackers from boxing you in and allows you the chance to get away. If you have to manually open the gate, leave the key in the ignition and the motor running. However, you must take the key with you if you have a child in the car. In this kind of hijacking situation, the key is a valuable negotiating tool – they want your vehicle and you want your child.”
