{"id":15685,"date":"2014-07-30T15:00:34","date_gmt":"2014-07-30T13:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mobserver.co.za\/?p=15685"},"modified":"2014-07-31T09:17:51","modified_gmt":"2014-07-31T07:17:51","slug":"low-cost-low-maintenance-tips-securing-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/middelburg-observer\/uncategorized\/2014\/07\/30\/low-cost-low-maintenance-tips-securing-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Low cost, low maintenance tips for securing a home"},"content":{"rendered":"

At Night Time<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Ensure all belongings are stored securely and out of sight.
\n\u2022 Ensure all windows and doors are locked.
\n\u2022 During warmer weather people tend to leave a window open at night \u2013 make sure the alarm is switched on to compensate.
\n\u2022 Keep blinds and curtains closed \u2013 being able to see what is inside will only tempt burglars.
\n\u2022 Choose venetian blinds over curtains \u2013 burglars hate them as it makes it more difficult to enter a property. They can also be quite noisy.
\n\u2022 Do not leave car keys in hallways or in sight of burglars.
\n\u2022 Keep house and car keys concealed but close by for quick emergency exits.
\n\u2022 Leave lights on where possible e.g. hallway \u2013 light deters burglars.
\n\u2022 Fit low cost sensor lights at front, back and sides of property.
\n\u2022 Use solar lights around the garden for free lighting.
\n\u2022 Remember downstairs doors and windows are not the only accessible route for burglars \u2013 walls, fencing, extension roofs, drainpipes and wheelie bins will give burglars a step up.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When the property is vacant<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Ask your neighbour to park one of their cars in your driveway while you are away.
\n\u2022 If you are enabling your answering machine check and delete your messages as much as possible.
\n\u2022 Ask your neighbour to collect your post every day so that it doesn\u2019t build up at your front door or porch.
\n\u2022 If you get newspaper deliveries remember to cancel them.
\n\u2022 If you will be away for long periods of time ask a neighbor to cut your grass so that it doesn\u2019t end up overgrown \u2013 you can offer to do the same when they are away.
\n\u2022 Use light timers \u2013 they will give the impression that someone is in the property.
\n\u2022 Tune in your radio to a station that has the most talking and leave it on.
\n\u2022 Notify local law enforcement of your absence from your home.
\n\u2022 Do not leave keys under the mat or under plant pots \u2013 it is the first place prowlers will look.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

At all times<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Ensure your\u00a0exterior alarm box<\/a>\u00a0is kept clean to highlight your system is working and is maintained.
\n\u2022 Place security stickers on windows or doors \u2013 buy them or ask your security company to provide them.
\n\u2022 Do not leave your alarm code anywhere close to your alarm keypad.
\n\u2022 Test your security systems regularly to ensure they are functioning correctly.
\n\u2022 Fit additional small locks to windows and doors.
\n\u2022 Fit a door chains on front and back doors.
\n\u2022 Before answering the door check for unwelcome visitors.
\n\u2022 Ensure all windows and doors are locked where possible \u2013 burglars may decide to make an entrance when you are in the house.
\n\u2022 Select internally glazed windows and doors as burglars are unable to remove these glass panels.
\n\u2022 Erect a \u2018Beware of Dog\u2019 sign.
\n\u2022 Adopt a dog from the SPCA.
\n\u2022 Put small locks and chains on anything outside your home or in the garden including your gate.
\n\u2022 Shred all documentation containing personal information before disposal \u2013 this will prevent identity theft.
\n\u2022 Don\u2019t allow your garden to provide cover for burglars \u2013 make sure your home is more visible to neighbours. Simple actions like placing trellis on the top of fences or growing hostile plants such as the Berberis variety can add protection.
\n\u2022 Consider connecting your shed to your home alarm system.
\n\u2022 Get to know your neighbours so you can \u2018keep an eye out\u2019 for each other\u2019s homes.
\n\u2022 Join a Neighbourhood Watch scheme and put up a sign at your home to let burglars know you are a member.<\/p>\n

Article courtesy of\u00a0EasyDIY<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

MORE DIY:<\/p>\n

Make a custom house number board<\/a><\/p>\n

\"number-1\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"EasyDIY<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There are many ways in which a homeowner can secure their property to prevent any potential intruder, the number one method is to have an approved security system installed as they are proven deterrents. Alarm monitoring of this system is a must as it is a lifeline to the emergency services should something happen. However, here are some low cost, quick and easy tips for extra security at your home.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5696,"featured_media":15686,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"hasGravity":false,"cxt_article_byline":"Janice Anderssen","cxt_disable_google_ads":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1499,2681],"tags":[1610,2158,2159],"class_list":["post-15685","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-diy-tips","category-lifestyle-news","tag-easydiy","tag-secure-home","tag-security-2"],"category_labels":{"Category":"Lifestyle","SubCategory":"DIY"},"tag_labels":["easydiy","secure home","security"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/middelburg-observer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15685","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/middelburg-observer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/middelburg-observer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/middelburg-observer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5696"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/middelburg-observer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15685"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/middelburg-observer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15685\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/middelburg-observer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15686"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/middelburg-observer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15685"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/middelburg-observer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15685"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/middelburg-observer\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15685"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}