\u201cFor those who own a freestanding property, upgrading the home\u2019s security will not only provide additional peace of mind, but it will also significantly increase the value of the home,\u201d said regional director and CEO of RE\/MAX of Southern Africa, Adrian Goslett.<\/p>\n
There are several ways homeowners can go about upgrading the security on their freestanding home.<\/p>
The first of which is to view your home as if you were an intruder trying to get in.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost intruders are opportunists looking for an easy target, so be sure that description doesn\u2019t suit your home.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo test that your home is secure, lock up as if you were leaving and then try to gain access as if you were an intruder.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t be afraid to apply force and try every possible point of entry.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis will allow you to evaluate the security of your home and give you an idea of what needs to be improved,\u201d said Goslett.<\/p>\n
The outside of your home is the first line of defence against intruders, so never leave anything out that could help them gain access, such as garden tools or ladders.<\/p>\n
Goslett also recommended trimming any trees that may help intruders enter the home and bushes that can be used for hiding.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Be alert and aware when entering or leaving your property<\/a><\/p>\n Ways sellers can follow the colour trends for 2020<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhen it comes to security additions that also add value to the home, there\u2019s simply no match for physical barriers such as palisade-style fencing or good quality electric fencing.<\/p>\n \u201cYour doors should be strong, sturdy, and have deadlock bolts with throw locks.<\/p>\n \u201cAvoid doors with windows and hollow wooden doors as these provide easy access for intruders.<\/p>\n \u201cInstead, install solid wooden doors or steel doors,\u201d said Goslett.<\/p>\n All the windows should also have burglar bars on the inside and be able to lock.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you can\u2019t afford an armed response service, you can install window and door sensors which will sound off if the window or door is jimmied, broken or forced open.<\/p>\n \u201cThe sound might scare off the intruder or alert the suspicion of the neighbours who can call the police on your behalf,\u201d Goslett suggested.<\/p>\n That being said, Goslett recommended installing an alarm system as this will add value to your home when you later decide to sell.<\/p>\n Motion sensors can also be connected to the alarm system and act as an early detection device.<\/p>\n For extra security, you can have cameras installed which can monitor the perimeter and access points of your home.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is also good to get to know your neighbours.<\/p>\n \u201cMany communities now have neighbourhood security groups on WhatsApp<\/em> or Facebook<\/em> for the sole purpose of exchanging important information around neighbourhood safety.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, in the instance where a neighbour has noticed a suspicious person roaming around your house, they will be able to give you a heads up and vice versa,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThough it\u2019s not possible to completely ensure that your home will never be broken into, taking the necessary precautions is a positive step towards ensuring your home and your family are kept safe.<\/p>\n \u201cOnce the lockdown has been lifted and hardware and security stores reopen, you can implement some of the above recommendations.\u201d<\/p>\n For more advice on homeownership visit www.remax.co.za<\/a>.<\/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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