The holiday season can be a prime time for home robbers to attack.
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Christmas season is a time for celebration, family reunions, and much-needed vacations.
However, it is also a high season for home robberies, since criminals frequently target unoccupied houses and inattentive homeowners.
Protecting your house at this time is critical to having a stress-free holiday.
"Investing in security features not only provides peace of mind and protects your loved ones and belongings, but it can also increase your home's overall value," said Adrian Goslett, the regional director and chief executive of RE/MAX of Southern Africa.
"Buyers today prioritise safety, and a well-secured home with modern systems can be a strong selling point when listing your home."
According to the most recent SA Police Service (SAPS) crime data, for the first quarter of the fiscal year 2024/2025 (April 2024 to June 2024), housebreakings have been on the rise, with some locations in KwaZulu-Natal reporting the greatest number of incidents at police stations.
"The crime statistics are based on the cases that are reported. However, there are many that are not reported to police. For example, we receive about 120 calls a day from the public about some type of crime, be it serious or petty," said Prem Balram, head of Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa).
"But, only two or three cases are actually opened from these calls. Therefore, reported crimes are low, but actual crimes are even higher."
Ian Cameron, the Democratic Alliance spokesperson on police, said: "Our country's crime statistics shows a step forward in our fight against crime.
"It nonetheless presents no reason for complacency, as our rates of crime remain some of the highest in the world. We must remain steadfast in bringing safety to communities, homes and businesses."
To assist homeowners, keep their houses secure throughout the holiday season, here are a few security suggestions:
A vacant house becomes an easy target for robbers. Use timers on lights, televisions, and radios to give the impression that someone is home.
Smart home systems enable you to remotely manage your lights and appliances, providing an additional degree of convenience and security.
Outdoor lighting can help prevent burglars by illuminating dark corners and entries. Install motion-activated lights around your home's perimeter and make sure paths and entryways are brightly illuminated.
Before leaving the house, make sure all doors and windows are locked, even if you are just going out for a short period.
Install deadbolts on external doors, security gates, and burglar bars in the windows. Furthermore, these fixed security solutions will increase the home's market value.
Before shifting into the Christmas season, make sure your security system is completely operational.
Test all components, including motion detectors, cameras, alarms, and any smart features like remote monitoring or app notifications.
Replace worn batteries in wireless devices and ensure that all sensors are firmly fastened to doors and windows. Cut back any vegetation that might obscure camera view or cause the alarm sensors to go off accidently.
Even with the strongest security systems in place, it's important to keep your homeowner's insurance up to date.
Take an inventory of your valuables and retain documents, including pictures, to facilitate claims in the event of loss or damage.
By adopting some basic but practical steps, you may enjoy the holiday season with better peace of mind.
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