Top strategies for securing your home

Every home, no matter where it's situated, has one thing in common: the need for security.?Jawitz Properties ?looks at home security must-haves and considers some of the positive and proactive changes that you can make to protect your home. From securing your perimeter and making changes inside your home to getting involved in your neighbourhood and your community, there are lots of ways to help keep your property safe and protected.

Protecting your perimeter

Most freestanding homes in South Africa are secured by automatic gates and perimeter fencing. It's important to note that there are a few extra steps you can take to make these barriers as secure as possible and protect your home. By securing your gate with anti-lift brackets and welding a flat bar onto the gate rack, you can make it far more difficult for unwelcome "guests" to access your property. Another great idea for your perimeter is to get an intercom system that is linked to your smartphone and can be answered even if you're not home. This prevents your intercom from becoming a way to ascertain that your home is currently empty.

Some surprisingly simple strategies - like keeping shrubbery in your driveway neatly trimmed and installing motion sensor lights - can go a long way to ensure that your home remains your safe haven.

Securing your home from within

Getting an alarm system is often an imperative part of securing your home. While various service providers may operate in your area, it's important to make sure that your security provider is a registered member of the South African Intruder Detection Service Associations (SAIDSA), as this ensures that their knowledge and infrastructure meet certain standards. It's very important to test your alarm system regularly and ensure that the alarm company you have chosen responds promptly.

For those who live in freestanding homes or sectional title complexes that allow pets, another great way to secure your home from within is to have a small dog who sleeps inside at night. Your four-legged friend will detect the presence of a stranger on your property long before you will and can alert you.

One of the most important strategies for protecting your home is making it look occupied, even when you're not actually home. Advances in home automation and smart home platforms have opened up a new world of ways to secure your home. It is now possible to switch lights on and off from your smartphone, open and close smart roller blinds and set up routines that make your home look occupied at all times.

Becoming involved in your community

A proactive neighbourhood watch is one of the most effective ways to make your area less appealing to criminal elements. If your area doesn't yet have a neighbourhood watch, consider starting one. Make an effort to become friends with your neighbours, because these are the first people who are likely to notice if something is amiss in your area.

Many streets and neighbourhoods have WhatsApp groups and social media pages that can be a great source of information about what's happening in the area. As the old saying goes, knowledge is power and the more you know about the goings-on in your neighbourhood, the better.

If you're looking to buy or rent out a property, the Jawitz Properties team can help you find a safe, secure home in any corner of South Africa.?Contact us ?for more information about securing your property or finding the home that's right for you.