South Africa is entering peak summer season on a high, as the tourism numbers continue to show unparalleled growth in both domestic numbers and international arrivals.

Summer 2022 is the first summer since the pandemic, without COVID-19 restrictions. It’s finally December and you’re going on holiday after the nightmare demanding few years. Such joy! Such relief!

Now is the ideal time to get outside and explore our country; to visit friends and family and be on holiday in the bush or get sand under our toes by the sea. But what happens to your home while you’re away? It’s no secret that many people go on holiday at this time of year and their homes might be more vulnerable to break-ins.

“Christmas season is the best time of the year. It’s a time for family, friends, and lots of happiness. Sadly, statistics also indicate that burglaries around this time of the year spike exponentially. This has a lot to do with the fact that burglars are aware that there are lots of gifts in the house and probably extra money lying around. “says Shaun Rademeyer, CEO of MultiNET Home Loans.

Whether you live in a house or flat, and if you’re going away soon, here is a list of tips for you to protect your home and keep it secure during the holidays.

1. Make sure gifts aren’t visible from outside

It’s such a common sight during this time of the year – a window from which you can see a beautiful Christmas tree all lit up, with dozens of gifts underneath it. This sight is enough to make a potential burglar size up your house. With all those gifts in plain sight, how are they supposed to resist?

That’s why you need to make sure that your tree and the gifts underneath are not visible from outside.  Remove temptation and you reduce the chances of becoming a burglary victim.

2. Watch what you post on social media

Potential burglars are like hawks on social media. They look through posts seeking out information on the types of gifts people have received, or when they plan to leave their homes for Christmas shopping or for vacation.

The information you choose to post online can be used against you. Take care not to post about valuables that may be in your home under the Christmas tree, or when the house will be empty.

3. Assess your weak points

Pretend as if you’ve locked yourself out of your house and need to get back in. Try all the obvious access points and maybe ones only you would think of. Can you get in without your keys? Then so can anyone else. Think about getting those access points secured.

4. Be careful about disposing of packaging

If you’ve received gifts during the holiday season, you may get so caught up with enjoying them that you don’t pay attention to disposing of the packaging. If you put the packaging out in the trash, which will then be sitting by the curb waiting to be picked up, you’re basically telling the whole world what sort of gifts are inside your home.

Burglars are always on the lookout for such garbage items.  That’s why you need to be very careful about disposing the packaging.

5. Don’t run external lights through a window

Those pretty lights which adorn the exterior of your home need to be plugged in, right? Correct! Just make sure that you don’t run their wires through a window or door leading inside. That little wedge that the wire will leave is all a burglar needs to pry their way in.

6. Make sure your home is well-lit

Remember, thieves and burglars love operating under the protection of darkness. When visibility is low, they can do whatever they please while knowing that no one will be able to see what they are up to.

If your house is well-lit, the chances of any ‘funny business’ taking place on your property are reduced. Make sure you have floodlights or motion activated lighting around the exterior of your home.

An extra burden currently is Level 5 loadshedding, if at all possible, ensure that your perimeter lights run on solar power to ensure your house is well-lit even during loadshedding.

7. Make use of motion sensors

Motion sensors trip when they detect movement around a certain perimeter. They can activate lights, or an alarm. Setting up motion sensors on your property is a good way to effectively deter anyone from breaking into your home.

8. Make sure the house looks occupied

Even if you’re not able to get someone to actually stay at your place, perhaps get someone (like a neighbour) to take the mail inside, switch the lights on at night and off in the morning and take your bin to the side of the road when it needs to be collected. Perhaps even leave the TV on during the day so it seems as if someone is home.

9. Get a house sitter

Getting someone to look after your house or flat while you’re not there is a great idea. Not only will they be able to give your house that extra layer of security by showing potential burglars that there is someone home, but they can also look after your pets and/or plants while you’re away. 

10. Secure your home

Last but not least, make sure your home is secure during the holiday season. Check your windows and doors to make sure all locks are intact. If you don’t have one already, invest in a home security system which will protect your home and your family.

If there’s no one able to look after your house these holidays, or even if there is, make sure your home is very secure. If you live with parents, rent from a landlord, or have your own home, discuss getting locks fitted on your windows, steel gates at the entrances and deadlocks on your doors.

Also, make sure you don’t leave tools or large items like ladders lying around the outside of your house so that they cannot be used as means to break into your home. If you have a shed/garage, then make sure to secure it with a strong lock.

Rademeyer ends with “Christmas season is a merry and busy time. Unfortunately, burglars and thieves try to cash in on the spoils of the season by burglarising homes. After all that we have had to overcome during Covid-19, take proper steps to ensure that your home is secure from all possible threats and effectively reduce the chances of becoming a victim to a burglary.”

“The MultiNET Home Loan team wish you all a blessed and Merry Christmas”

If you are looking at buying property MultiNET Home Loans can assist you in finding you the best home loan with the most favourable interest rate, for more information contact us 0861 54 54 44, Whatsapp 061 537 8778 or visit www.multinet.co.za