With the festive season now behind us, there’s a good chance that we have a few new items in our homes that need to be protected.
“January can be a tough month financially for most people. The last thing you want to have to deal with is a robbery losing your new but still uninsured items especially if it’s due to a faulty security system,” says Theunis Kotze, General Manager ADT Inland Region.
He advises getting in touch with your insurance company and making sure the necessary items are insured as soon as possible. He also recommends assessing your security system and ensuring any adjustments are made immediately.
“Start with your perimeter security and work inwards. Fences, walls, gates and beams should be thoroughly checked for any vulnerable areas or areas that may need maintenance. As is the case with all household assets, especially outdoor items, they will be affected by wear and tear and need regular maintenance.”
“Then check your indoor security making sure that alarm panels, sensors and panic buttons are in working order. It’s also a good idea to check door locks, windows, sliding doors etc to make sure they are effective, rust-free and so on. If in doubt, call on your security provider to send an expert to check your system,” he says.
Kotze advises that you keep the following in mind if suppliers are coming to your property to install a new item:
- Make sure they are legit and don’t leave them unattended in your home
- Keep any valuable items such as jewellery, tech equipment, mobile phones and the likes out of sight while they are on the property
- Be cautious about the information you give them regarding accessing or leaving your property, such as access codes etc, and don’t get caught up in polite conversation where you may, unknowingly, disclose sensitive information
- Always inform your domestic staff of who will be arriving at your property if you aren’t there and ensure they verify any visitors before allowing them access
Kotze adds that if you are throwing out boxes or wrapping, don’t leave them on your pavement as an advertisement for passersby. “It makes it incredibly obvious that you have a new TV, tablet etc if the boxes are on your pavement. Rather take the boxes to your local dumpsite or cover them with a black dustbin bag before leaving them on the pavement for the rubbish collection.”
“Let’s work together to make sure our valuables are protected,” he concludes.