Home invasions remain a major concern for some residents in Centurion, where the safety of families and their properties can often depend on how difficult a home is to access.

Security experts are urging residents not to rely on a single security measure but to build several layers of protection around their homes and make security part of their everyday routines.

With winter still upon us, residents should remain mindful of home security as shorter days mean darkness arrives earlier and lingers for longer in the mornings.

This can create more opportunities for criminals to approach properties under the cover of darkness, making adequate security measures around homes important.

Monitor Net Security general manager Paul Gerber said homeowners should understand that preventing a home invasion does not begin with expensive technology but with awareness and basic precautions.

For him, one of the first steps is ensuring criminals don’t have easy access to enter a property.

“Residents should keep doors and windows locked, even when they are at home, while accessible windows should be protected with burglar bars and doors should have sturdy security gates and quality locks,” he said.

He added that sliding doors should also be secured with appropriate locks or anti-lift devices.

However, securing the inside of a home is only one part of the equation. Gerber explained that residents should also consider what is happening around their properties and remove features that could make their homes vulnerable targets.

“Outdoor lighting should cover entrances, driveways and darker areas, while trees and shrubs should be trimmed so that criminals cannot use them as hiding places. Perimeter walls and fencing should also be maintained, with gates kept closed and locked.”

He noted that making a property more difficult and risky to access could reduce the likelihood of a housebreak-in.

Residents are also encouraged to be cautious about who they allow onto their properties.

Gerber advised homeowners to verify visitors before allowing them inside and warned against leaving spare keys in obvious hiding places outside the house.

Another vulnerability can arise when residents unintentionally advertise that their homes are empty.

“Homeowners who are going away should create the appearance that someone is still at home by using timer switches for lights and asking a trusted neighbour to collect mail or move bins. They should also reconsider sharing their holiday plans or extended absences on social media,” he stated.

He said residents should also protect valuables by keeping expensive items away from windows and recording the serial numbers of valuable possessions.

Tools, ladders, and gardening equipment should also be secured, as they could potentially be used to gain access to a property.

However, Gerber believes the strongest protection comes from combining several security measures rather than relying on one device or system.

He described this as a layered approach, where each security measure creates another obstacle for a potential offender.

The first layer is deterrence, which can include obvious security features like CCTV cameras, electric fencing, lockable gates, good lighting, and security signage.

Detection should come next if an offender manages to get past that first layer. Perimeter beams, outdoor detection systems, and CCTV can help identify suspicious activity before an intruder reaches the house.

The following layer is delay. Security gates, burglar bars, reinforced doors, window security film and quality locks can make it more difficult and time-consuming for an offender to gain entry.

“The final layer is response. Alarms and other detection systems should be monitored so that an appropriate response can be activated when an intrusion occurs,” added Gerber.

For residents, security should also extend beyond the boundaries of their properties.

Gerber highlighted the importance of homeowners knowing their neighbours and participating in community policing forums, neighbourhood watches and other community safety initiatives.

“If residents believe someone has entered their home, Gerber said they should not investigate or enter the property. Instead, they should move to a safe location and contact their security provider or the police.”

He added that the aim is to encourage communities to become more security-conscious and remove as many opportunities for criminals as possible.

For Centurion households, that means treating security as an everyday habit rather than something that only becomes important after a neighbour has been robbed.

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