{"id":257182,"date":"2020-05-19T10:30:00","date_gmt":"2020-05-19T08:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/257182\/ten-things-your-burglar-wont-tell-you\/"},"modified":"2020-05-19T10:08:47","modified_gmt":"2020-05-19T08:08:47","slug":"ten-things-your-burglar-wont-tell-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2020\/05\/19\/ten-things-your-burglar-wont-tell-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Ten things your burglar won\u2019t tell you"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cThere are a lot of useful and practical tips which could assist homeowners during lockdown,\u201d said Linda Goodenough, community development manager for Fidelity ADT.<\/p>\n

She said that in level four of lockdown, we may start to see an increase in residential crime so keeping these 10 things in mind could make everyone more mindful and ensure families remain safe.<\/p>

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10 things that criminals do that you should keep in mind:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

\u2022 Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.
\n\u2022 The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbours.
\n\u2022 Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste … and taste means there are nice things inside. Those toys your kids leave out in your garden always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.
\n\u2022 Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.
\n\u2022 If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don’t let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it’s set. That makes it too easy.
\n\u2022 A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom and your jewellery. It’s not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.
\n\u2022 It’s raining, you’re fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door – that is understandable. But understand this: I don’t take a day off because of bad weather.
\n\u2022 A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you’re reluctant to leave your TV on while you’re out of town, you can buy a device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television.
\n\u2022 I’m not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?
\n\u2022 To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it’s an invitation.<\/p>

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\u201cMany of these may sound obvious but don\u2019t be fooled.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are all spending so much more time at home and as the economy starts to open up, there are still a lot of desperate people and you need to stay alert and mindful,\u201d said Goodenough.<\/p>\n

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ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n

Police appeal to community for information following armed robbery<\/a><\/p>\n

Phasing out of lockdown is not a good time to downgrade or neglect your security<\/a><\/p>\n

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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 Busi Vilakazi (Journalist)\u00a0busiv@caxton.co.za.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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