It has been reported that criminals often target homes at times when the occupants are not at home or are asleep.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey do not seek violence and often this is a result of being surprised on their end,\u201d Jason Mordecai, managing director of Seven Arrows Security, explained.<\/p>
This is why it is important to have a safe zone within your home.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is vital to keep your family together if you are in a home invasion, the goal is to lock up and stay together throughout the ordeal\u201d said Mordecai.<\/p>
\u201cIt is important to have a plan for such an incident and for every member in the household to know what the plan is.\u201d<\/p>\n
Here are several things to consider when deciding on a safe zone within the home:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 The living area needs to be made separate to the rest of the house, this means that that bedrooms should ideally have a barrier between them and the remainder of the home.<\/p>\n \u2022 A strong barrier is highly important, \u201cThere would be no point in having a weak security gate that is easy to break through.<\/p>\n \u201cA slam lock would be ideal or a lock with a key in it at all times to make for an easy lock system,\u201d said Mordecai.<\/p>\n \u2022 Always have a plan of action for the whole family.<\/p>\n \u2022 The room that you plan to stay in must have more than one panic button available in it.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is advisable to have a panic button placed at a low level in a bathroom as criminals often tie up residents and leave them in the bathroom\u201d said Mordecai.<\/p>\n \u2022 A first aid kit should be made available in the safe zone.<\/p>\n \u2022 A good quality torch should also be made available along with an emergency power saving light.<\/p>\n \u2022 It is also a good idea to keep a cheap cellphone with a small amount of airtime loaded in the safe area.<\/p>\n \u201cWe urge residents to evaluate the security in their homes, criminals often take the easy route to homes and residents who let them in without even realising it.<\/p>\n \u201cThe more aware and ready you are the better,\u201d Mordecai concluded.<\/p>\n Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\nALSO READ:\u00a0Man arrested for possession of an alleged stolen motor vehicle<\/a><\/h4>\n