The cold is setting in and with it comes additional security issues to be considered, said Charnel Hattingh, national marketing and communications manager for Fidelity ADT.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe arrival of winter means that it gets darker earlier in the evenings and lighter later in the mornings.<\/p>
\u201cThis may end up providing useful cover for any would-be criminals,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Hattingh said its very important that house numbers painted on the roadside curb are visible.<\/p>
\u201cIf you haven\u2019t checked yours in a while please do so.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe paint fades over time and as it gets darker earlier it gets harder to see these numbers in the event of an emergency,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
She added that just by having your number visible you can cut off precious minutes in terms of a response time from your security provider or medical response team.<\/p>\n
She also raised issues related to residents keeping animals indoors \u2013 out of the cold \u2013 during the evenings and not activating their home alarm systems.<\/p>\n
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ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Safety tips for parking your vehicle<\/a><\/p>\n Are you serious about fire prevention in your home?<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt is perfectly understandable that people want to keep their pets indoors where it is warmer.<\/p>\n \u201cI would recommend asking your security company to \u2018animal proof\u2019 your alarm sensors, or that you partition the house in such a way that your alarm system can still offer an early warning system in case someone enters your property,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Winter brings an increased demand on the national power grid which in turn makes the possibility of blackouts a reality.<\/p>\n Hattingh recommended making sure that back-up power supplies are in place to keep lighting, non-functional gate motors and security systems in working condition at all times.<\/p>\n \u201cLeave outside lights on if you know you\u2019re going to get home after dark and partition alarms so that external beams can be set early in the evening, just after you get home,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n She also recommended getting a professional in to check the tensioning of electric fencing as it shrinks in colder weather and this can cause false alarms.<\/p>\n \u201cLink smoke detectors to your alarm system.<\/p>\n \u201cFires during winter can be caused by heaters, electrical appliances and the cosy fireplace left burning when you go to bed,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd please be extra vigilant when leaving and arriving home.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you notice anything suspicious alert your security company or the SAPS immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0Kgotsofalang 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\u00a0<\/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>\n