Locked doors and an alarm system can give homeowners a false sense of security; oftentimes not deterring brazen criminals from breaking and entering! According to Africa Check, between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2016, there were a recorded 20 819 incidents of house robbery – where victims are confronted in their homes and are victims of theft – or an average of 57 robberies per day. In the same time frame, there were 250 606 recorded house burglaries – that is, when a person ‘unlawfully and intentionally breaks into a building with the intention to take something on the premises’. In order to avoid becoming a statistic, make a criminal’s job tougher by beefing up your home security! Here’s how…
View your perimeter and driveway from a criminal’s point of view
Identify any potential hiding spots, such as overgrown foliage near your perimeter walls and driveway gate and, if necessary, remove or cut back. This way, you won’t be caught by surprise by potential intruders when entering or leaving your property. Overgrown trees near your home can also provide easy accessibility to the roof, upstairs balcony, or windows of your home. The same goes for garden furniture or step ladders, so lock these away when not in use. If your driveway entrance isn’t well lit, install lights to deter criminals.
Secure your home’s doors
Ensure that all entry doors, including your garage door, are secured. If your garage door isn’t automated, consider installing a dead bolt or padlock. Most homes are fitted with wooden entry doors that have standard locks and hinges and a hollow core – a weak point, as criminals can simply pick the lock or kick in the door! As for glass sliding doors, bold criminals won’t think twice about throwing a brick through them in order to gain entry. For peace of mind, and your family’s safety, secure the doors with an SABS-approved trellis door that works on a slam-lock system. This type of barrier is fully framed and can be custom made to fit any size door. Unlike regular security gates, the slam lock system automatically locks the gate as soon as it’s shut, securing the door entrance in an instant.
Secure your home’s windows
No matter how small the window, if it’s not properly secured with burglar bars it’s a weak point that invites opportunistic criminals to either force it open by breaking the window lock or using a brick to attempt a quick smash-and-grab. Even perceived lower risk areas such as gated estates with high walls and access gates aren’t immune to crime; for maximum security, secure all windows with burglar bars that penetrate the inside of the window frames or surrounding walls (this gives the bars added strength). Thankfully, unlike older burglar bars that look unsightly and make one feel imprisoned, today’s designs are attractive, with no unsightly screws, bolts or welding, and can be custom designed to suit any existing style of window frame – even cottage pane windows! There’s also the option of transparent or crystal clear burglar proofing, so you’ll never have to compromise your home’s beauty or natural views for security. Another plus – burglar bars add significantly to the value of your home.
Are you ready to secure your home’s security weak points? Wonder Bars has great deals on burglar bars, trellis fixtures for windows, and security doors to protect your home and family. Contact us today for a quote tailored to your home.
Loved our latest blog post? Take the next step in securing your home with Wonder Bars! Explore our range of services, including Cottage Pane Burglar Bars for timeless protection, Crystal-Clear Burglar Proofing for unobstructed views, and Swing Gates for Doors to add elegance to your entryways.
Looking for flexibility? Check out our Retractable Trellis Doors and Retractable Windows for adaptable security solutions. Protect against wildlife with our Vervet Monkey Proofing, or customise your security with Custom Door Security and Window Security Solutions.
