Fences/Walls 

  • A high fence around the house with lockable gates is much safer than a high wall due to the advantage of the improved visibility it provides.
  • The primary aim of the fence is to make access/intrusion difficult and to allow dogs to move freely around the house.
  • Ensure that your gates are locked at all times and that the keys cannot be reached easily and are not lying around uncontrolled. 
  • Security gates with sturdy locks in front of each outer door as well as burglar proofing covering all windows are recommended.

The following devices prevent easy access:

  • Window bars
  • Security doors
  • Security gates
  • Razor wire
  • Additional locking devices on doors
  • Strengthening of doors
  • Peepholes in the doors
  • Safety chains to doors
  • Intercom system between the home and gate, front door or garage

Alarm Systems

  • An alarm system, preferably connected to an armed response company, can act as an effective deterrent. 
  • In the rural environment a siren/alarm on the roof that can be heard over a long distance and that can be activated by means of a switch/panic button in the house, is recommended. 
  • A few switches/panic buttons in different rooms of the house should preferably be installed. 
  • An alarm must also have the capability to warn the occupants of any intrusion into the house. 

Examples of alarm systems:

  • Mechanical and/or electrical (purchased types)
  • Improvised systems
  • Threaded tins
  • Threaded pieces of iron
  • Gravel on window panes, pathways or around the home
  • Obstacles that can make a noise when moved

Biological Systems:

  • Dogs
  • Geese
  • Ostriches

Security Lights 

  • Security lights on the outside of the house improve the physical protection of a house, farm or smallholding. 
  • The lights must be directed away from the house and must allow the occupants to use the windows without being observed from outside. 
  • Be aware of possible shadows and blind spots. 

Safety Precautions

  • Ensure that all doors are locked at all times, and that windows are closed when you are not at home.
  • Large dogs serve as a deterrent. At least one dog should be trained to sleep inside the house.
  • If you leave your residence, inform your family/ neighbours of your intended destination, time you expect to return and the route you will be driving, especially if you reside in a rural area.
  • Ensure that tools such as axes, spades, picks, ladders, etc. that can be used in an attack, are locked away when you do not use them. 
  • Vary your daily routine.
  • Get into the habit of not immediately falling asleep after switching off the lights. 
  • Remain awake for a while. 
  • You should not be visible in the bedroom from the outside when you are asleep.
  • Always keep a torch nearby at night and when you use it, ensure that you do not give away your position.
  • If you are unsure about the security status of your home after returning from work/a visit, e.g. your dogs do not come to the gate; do not enter your home. 
  • Contact your neighbour to assist you in securing your home. 
  • Identify relatively safe places of refuge, ie: bathroom, toilet or storeroom. 
  • The fewer windows and doors these rooms have, the better.
  • Involve employees as they are part of the family/team.
  • Employees must be involved in maintaining security on an equal footing. 
  • Report suspicious behaviour and information to the South African Police Service. 
  • Clear the areas around the gates of bushes and other hiding places.
  • Take photographs of all employees. 
  • It could be to your advantage to identify them, if required.
  • Remunerate your employees when useful information is provided that contribute to the prevention of crime.
  • Do not employ casual workers without a reference. 
  • Keep copies of all your employees – Identity Documents (ID’s).
  • Ensure that you have a good relationship with your neighbours so that you will be in a good position to support and help each other.

Access and Key Control

  • Do not allow strangers on your premises or in your house without having properly identifying the person, especially at night.
  • Implement proper key control measures.
  • Identify keys by means of codes instead of indicating in writing on labels to which gate/door access can be gained.
  • Keys to the safe must be kept on the person.
  • Never hide any keys in traditional places, such as in pot plants or under doormats.
  • Keys in the keyhole on the inside of the front or back door should be turned to avoid easy removal.
  • Never allow strangers to handle keys or look at key numbers.
  • Change locks when keys are lost.
  • Insert barring devices in door locks.
  • Remove keys from doors when leaving.
  • Communication

There should be two systems for alternative back up:

  • Telephone
  • Cellular phone
  • Have the telephone installed where it is easily accessible from anywhere in the house. 
  • Inform your children not to give an indication that adult supervision is not available when they answer the phone. 

More Tips:

  • Make sure it appears you are home while you’re away. Light and moderate noise may deter burglars.
  • Use light switched timers to realistically simulate occupancy.
  • Leave shades, curtains, and blinds as you usually do.
  • Light up the porch and yard with a time controller.
  • Connect an old, analogue type television or radio (modern, electronic ones come on in standby mode — not in playing mode), or burglar deterrent CD recordings with a schedule-able player with timers.
  • Have lawns mowed, sidewalks swept, hedges clipped on schedule.
  • Lock all exterior doors securely — such as, using thick cylinder locks on outside entrances. If you are worried about someone picking or forcing the lock — which is generally easy to do — use more secure locks including ones considered pick-resistant.
  • Realize that ordinary windows are easily smashed, but still use safety latches on the windows to keep below-average crooks honest and pre-schoolers in/outside.
  • Try keeping screens fastened from within, but it is child’s-play to slit them open before pushing window glass in with a pad of some kind.
  • Form a neighbourhood crime watch with the assistance of your local police department. Team work, cooperation, common sense can help make or break a neighbourhood. Report anything suspicious.
  • Ask a trusted neighbour to watch your property when you are away. Do the same for them.
  • Check all nearby streetlights to be sure they are functional. If not, contact your electricity company to request a repair. Would-be intruders are not as fond of well-lit areas.
  • Arrange to have a neighbour pick up your mail, circulars, and newspapers when you are on vacation. If that isn’t possible, cancel all deliveries, including newspapers. Arrange with your post office to hold your mail or leave it with a neighbour.
  • Never advertise your departure. This may be easier said than done, especially for those who often share personal information on social networking sites (such as Facebook and Twitter).
  • Replace any exterior hollow doors with solid ones.
  • Install locks that wedge and bolt in sliding doors and double hung windows.
  • Invest in a good alarm system. At the very least, buy one of those alarm company signs. eBay is good for that.
  • Check with your police department, you may be able to have a direct connection from your house to the police, but false alarms may cost you a fine.
  • Do that, if and only if your police are stringently honest and secure. People going on vacation who have notified police have had their addresses hacked, stolen or sold and circulated on lists for enterprising thieves and robbers. Many websites are no longer recommending notifying police, but only a good neighbour, when you are away.

All locked up

  • Police suggest many opportunistic thieves take advantage of unlocked homes. Even if you are going out for a short time, lock-up your house and windows. Locksmiths can provide advice on appropriate door and window locks, and key all the windows to a single key. 
  • Also, ask your electricity supplier about locks for your power supply to prevent tampering, and keep your car locked. Police, for instance, have reported a case of a garage door remote stolen from a car, later used to burgle the owner’s property. 
  • Don’t provide cover 
  • Deter thieves from targeting your house by ensuring a clear line of sight from the street. Cut back trees and bushes that obscure your front door, look into installing movement sensor lights and report broken street lights straight away. Police also suggest making sure your house number is visible for the fastest response if you need to call for help. 

Upgrade your defenses

A high number of victims (60 per cent) in the ABS research cited a door or window had been damaged or tampered with in attempted break-ins, so it pays to invest in strengthening these defences. A solid core door with a deadlock, for example, is harder to force, grilles and shutters prevent burglars from breaking in through windows, and a peep hole or lockable security screen can help keep burglars out. 

Monitor all targets 

Garages and garden sheds are often targets for burglars who can then use your tools or ladders to gain access to the main house (police even report wheelie bins used to smash windows). An automatic light, for instance, fitted to the shed or garage can be a useful deterrent, along with keyed locks.

Security doesn’t take a holiday 

Ask friends to collect your mail and to stop junk mail from building up in your letterbox while you’re away from home. A neighbour parking in your driveway can also help signal the house is not unoccupied. Other measures could include internal lights or a radio set on timers and organising for someone to mow your lawn.

Guard your keys 

Most people know not to hide keys somewhere about the house but are you also aware that lending your keys to tradespeople and acquaintances can pose a risk? Keys are easily copied and can provide burglars with fast, no-fuss access to your belongings. 

Store valuables in a safe 

According to  a Survey , money and jewelry are most often stolen in break-ins. Installing a small safe in your home is a relatively low cost way to protect those items.

Don’t advertise valuables 

Break up packaging for expensive new gear before tucking it into the bin or recycling. Also, take a look at your house from the outside. With most thieves looking for cash, even a wallet or iPod left on your hall table can make your home a target. Speaking of valuables, police advise making an inventory of your belongings to have at hand in case of a break-in. Mark your property using an engraver or ultra-violet markers and take photos of precious, one-of-a-kind possessions.

Install an alarm or deter thieves with a dog

  • Add another layer of defense to your home with an alarm system. A barking dog can also provide effective security for your home. Even installing a “Beware of the dog” sign can make thieves pause before targeting your home.
  • Make friends with your neighbours.
  • In tight knit communities, people look out for each other. Neighbours can report suspicious activity at your home and help when you’re away – and you can return the favor. Hold a household meeting
  • Make home security a habit, with every member of the household—including kids—agreeing to a routine that should include such simple rules as:
  • Use door and window locks. It costs nothing and takes little energy. Make it a habit to lock every door and window when leaving, after entering, and before bedtime.
  • Do not open the door to uninvited or unwelcome visitors.
  • Close and lock the garage door.
  • Secure your home even if you’re doing work around the house and yard.
  • Use your alarm system all the time, even when you take a quick trip to the store or visit next-door neighbours.