The keys to sound security

July 2009

Good home security not only keeps one safe from home intruders but also takes the property up a notch if one decides to sell and move on.
Visible security measures act as a deterrent to home robbers, who are currently invading about 40 homes a day in South Africa, according to the latest crime statistics. Barriers on all doors and windows are an excellent starting point to establishing a sound security system and keeping these sometimes violent thieves out.
Begin a home security upgrade with a thorough check of your existing security measures. Their condition will depend on age and whether or not they have been properly maintained. Things to look out for include:
* Signs of wear and tear or weathering.

* Old-style burglar guards screwed into rotting wooden frames.

* Rusting screws in burglar guards.

* Security gates that do not slide open and closed easily.

* Unsecured external doors.

* Welded units that have loosened over the years.

* Windows without any form of protection.
Old, damaged burglar guards and gates that criminals can easily kick out or lever off will have to be replaced and new barriers installed on unsecured openings. Get professional help in choosing the correct mix of barrier security products for your particular circumstances. Make sure you secure every external doorway and window in your home. No window is too small or inaccessible for a determined thief.
Barriers are manufactured for different levels of security requirement, from low to high. The selection for each door, window or passageway will depend on factors such as location and accessibility. To give you an idea of what you will need, complete the online security assessment at www.trellidor.co.za/trellidor/risk_assessment.asp or ask a security consultant to do this for you. They should give you a report including the cost of replacing units in poor condition.
Part of your security plan should be to close off an area where you can hide safely should your home be invaded by robbers. This could be the bedroom area, secured by a gate in the passageway and barriers on all windows. Or the bathroom, with sliding barriers on the windows to use as an escape route.
If you already have security gates on external doors, ensure that you know where all the keys are. If you do not have a full set, ask yourself who has access to the missing keys and are they likely to be pressured into handing these over to robbers? If this is a matter for concern, rather get the locks changed than risk a violent break-in.
A good tip for home owners installing new barriers is to ask the supplier for a randomly allocated key for the security door used most by employees and the family, so only one lock has to be replaced if the key is lost or stolen. The rest of the sliding security units can be keyed alike and these keys kept in a safe place.



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