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The Benefits of Consulting Security Experts

16 July 2009

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Be Proactive about Security this Holiday Season

Security concerns can dampen the excitement of the annual holidays. A little forward planning, however, can minimize the risk of becoming another crime statistic and allow you to relax. The holiday season is ideal for checking your property's security and deciding what action to take because you have more time to do this thoroughly. It is impossible to guard against every potentially dangerous situation, but you can secure your home to reduce the chances of a break-in.

"Every one of us should do an audit of our homes," says Peter Snijman, Trellidor's Cape Town South franchise owner. "This should preferably be done by a professional in the security industry. We deal with regular emergency call-outs after criminals have done their dirty work and can spot a building's weak points very quickly."

Once you have a plan you can start adding the various ‘layers' of security as and when time and finances allow. "The minimum one should have is barrier security," advises Snijman, "followed by perimeter walls, electric fencing, external sensors and an internal alarm system. An armed response service and functioning neighbourhood watch are also an important part of one's defence against crime."

Relax! Your Barrier Security is at Work

Barrier security may not enhance one's décor, but it acts as a visible reminder to criminals that your home will not be easy to break into. While you are there it will keep you safe while you relax, and when you are away it will protect your home and hard-earned possessions. "There are many ways to make the barriers less jarring," says Steve Potter of Trellidor Atlantic, "especially if you purchase the best quality you can afford."

Quality counts

Each doorway and window is unique so it is important that the security barrier is custom made to fit to offer the best possible security. "We can make barriers to fit curved and angled walls, extra large or very small apertures," says Michael Gleeson, franchise manager of Trellidor Cape Town North. "Superior quality fixed and sliding security such as Trellidor and Cottage Guard will last longer and ward off attack more successfully. The sliding barriers will also open and close smoothly and easily."

Good quality barrier security can be tailor made to suit unique requirements. For example, bottom tracks can be lifted or recessed to ensure safe passage for wheelchairs, walking aids and equipment on wheels.

Secure does not have to mean ugly

If possible, fit burglar guards and security doors before installing curtains or blinds so that these can be designed to hide the security system's framework. Well made barriers will stack neatly behind your curtains when you open them to enjoy the outdoors.

Even if it is too late for this, beautiful views can be maximised by surface mounting security barriers, i.e. on the wall itself rather than in the reveal, so that they stack on the wall behind curtains, not inside the door.

Barriers on the inside of external doors make thieves work harder to break in as they have to get through the doors first. This increases their chances of discovery through noise and the time it takes, often putting them off. Your home will also look less like a fortress from the outside if the barriers are inside.

Essential maintenance

After sales service is rare in any industry these days and security is no different, although this isn't top of mind when making one's choice. It is important to ask, though, as emergencies do crop up. For example, what happens if you accidentally lose a security gate key?

Holiday-makers come to the coast for the weather, but that same weather presents another problem for security: rusting barriers that can't do their job properly. "Check on your chosen product's UV protection and how long it is guaranteed for," advises Snijman, "particularly if your home is anywhere near the sea."

Like any other piece of ‘furniture' in your home, security gates require regular cleaning to keep them looking good and in working order. The company that installs your barriers should advise you on how to do this so that they will protect your home long after you have locked up and gone back to work.

"It is difficult to look at one's home objectively and see where its weak points are in terms of security," says Steve Potter, "and quite frankly, who wants to do this when on holiday? This is why Trellidor offers a free security assessment when called in to quote on barriers. Readers are welcome to phone us and we will come out and answer any security queries they may have."

Trellidor's Holiday Tips

• Many break-ins occur through security door locks. Buy the best you can afford and make sure you lock them properly.
• Child accomplices can crawl in through the tiniest, highest windows if left open, without burglar guards. Close these when leaving the home or ask your security consultant how best to secure them.
• Never leave any keys inside the house when you're not there. Robbers use them on a return visit or to steal your car.
• Install a small, hidden safe in your holiday home to store valuables, but if thieves somehow find out about it, let them take it as your life is worth more than your possessions.
• Don't leave cell phones and other small valuables lying around. They are easy to pick up and slip into a pocket.
• Lock away tools or garden implements so burglars can't use them to break through security barriers, windows and doors.
• If you go out at night, leave interior lights on as well as either the television or radio so that the house looks and sounds occupied.
• Keep a list of emergency numbers near your telephone or programmed into your mobile phone and make sure your children know how to access these.

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