\u201cThe last thing you want to have to deal with is a robbery and losing your new, but still uninsured items, especially if it\u2019s due to a faulty security system,\u201d said Charnel Hattingh, Fidelity ADT\u2019s national marketing and communications manager.<\/p>\n
She advised getting in touch with your insurance company and making sure the necessary items are insured as soon as possible.<\/p>
She also recommended assessing your security system and ensuring any adjustments are made immediately.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you didn\u2019t get to doing it before or during the festive season, now is a great time to get your security system in tip top condition.<\/p>\n
\u201cStart with your perimeter security and work inwards.<\/p>\n
\u201cFences, walls, gates and beams should be thoroughly checked for any vulnerable areas or areas that may need maintenance.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs is the case with all household assets, especially outdoor items, they will be affected by wear and tear and need regular maintenance,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen check your indoor security making sure that alarm panels, sensors and panic buttons are in working order.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s also a good idea to check door locks, windows, sliding doors etc to make sure they are effective, rust-free and so on.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf in doubt, call on your security provider to send an expert to check your system.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s also vital that your profile with your security provider is current.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Heed these tips to avoid becoming a victim of a smash-and-grab<\/a><\/p>\n Swift action leads to arrest of alleged house robbers<\/a><\/p>\n \n \u201cThe whole point of having a security provider is so they can assist in your moment of need.<\/p>\n \u201cTo be able to assist they need to be able to contact you and have access to your property.<\/p>\n \u201cOnly by keeping your details updated is this possible,\u201d explained Hattingh.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you don\u2019t have one in place already, consider either a lockbox or digipad if access to the property is difficult.<\/p>\n \u201cBoth of these can only be accessed with a secure code shared between the homeowner and the security company.<\/p>\n \u201cAs long as that code is not changed, the system works well.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are finding that homeowners change their codes and often don\u2019t communicate this to the monitoring centre.<\/p>\n \u201cThis prevents access when the homeowner may need it most.<\/p>\n \u201cAnother point to remember is that every six months you should check the battery of the remote in your lockbox.\u201d<\/p>\n Another potential problem is not alerting your security company about any guard dogs on your property.<\/p>\n \u201cOfficers will not enter premises where there are vicious dogs.<\/p>\n \u201cWe rely on our clients to tell us whether they have dogs, especially vicious dogs, at their premises.<\/p>\n \u201cWe really try and avoid any harm to animals or our officers so ask that our customers keep us up to date on their pets,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Lastly Hattingh urged homeowners to ensure they properly vet any new staff members they may be considering hiring this year.<\/p>\n \u201cYour domestic staff are your home\u2019s first line of defense.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s why it\u2019s particularly important that you hire staff who have been vetted, are trustworthy and competent,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cDoing the necessary background checks on domestic staff before hiring them may seem like a time-consuming exercise but could make all the difference to your home security.<\/p>\n \u201cIn many cases of break-ins and house robberies we find that there has been inside information shared with criminals.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/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>Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za\u00a0<\/a><\/strong>or Ashley Kiley (Journalist)\u00a0ashleyk@caxton.co.za.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Also follow us on:<\/p>\n
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