With the Christmas holidays fast approaching it is important to start preparations for your home and office holiday security over the holiday period, particularly if you intend to go away, one of the country’s leading security services has warned.
“If you are going to travel, make sure you book security guards in good time, in order to avoid disappointment,” advised Safeguard Security customer services manager Lol Ribeiro.
As part of your holiday security plans you could engage security guard services for a temporary period while they are away on holiday but it was unwise to leave it until they were about to leave before attempting to book them.
Personnel have to be allocated and properly briefed, he pointed out.
Those with security alarms should carry out a full inspection of their alarm system, fence alarm and any outdoor beams and sensors to ensure they are all working well and unlikely to fail in their absence.
“The electric fence should be free from debris. If there are branches or leaves hanging close to the fence, they need to be trimmed or cut off to avoid false alarm activations.
“Check that your alarm system and panic radio link are working well. If not, book a service in time. Ensure that the details you provided for your rapid response service are correct and up to date.
“If you are a Safeguard rapid response customer going on holiday within Zimbabwe, ensure you have downloaded the new Safeguard App which gives you access to emergency assistance at all main centres in Zimbabwe. This can be found on Google Play for Android phones and iTunes for iOS phones.
Home and office is not the only part of your holiday security: “If you are travelling by road, make sure your tyres have been checked and pumped up correctly. Do not overload your vehicle to ensure your personal safety,” he said.
“Be security aware wherever you may be. Do not leave your cellphone or handbag unattended,” he urged. “Ensure any valuables in your car are out of sight.”
In addition, Mr Ribeiro said rapid response customers should advise the rapid response service of the dates they will be away and provide it with contact details of those they have asked to look after their home while they are away.
“Do not hide keys in obvious places. Burglars know to look for hidden door keys so do not hide spare keys under rocks or doormats, or in flowerpots or above door ledges. You should instead give the spare key to a family member, trusted friend or neighbour.
“You can also leave panic buttons with staff and the security guard if you are going away as these can be used to request assistance.
“Many houses these days have alarm systems. However, many of them are rarely set. So make sure yours is on and protecting your home,” he added.
Mr Ribeiro also pointed out that load shedding has peaked of late so it would be wise to make sure security systems were connected to a reliable back-up power facility to guard against potential power outages.
“Safeguard can provide a range of alternative power solutions on request,” he added.
He went on to say garages and sheds need to be secured to ensure that garden tools or ladders that could be used to force entry into a person’s home were not left lying around or accessible from an unlocked garden shed.
“Garages are often targeted by burglars looking for tools, bicycles, lawnmowers and other gardening equipment so they need to be secured as well,” he said.
He urged those going away on holiday not to make their departure obvious and to instruct staff not to mention their absence to anyone.