To Serve and Protect our clients and their assets, by providing integrated security solutions, borne out of our collective wealth of experience and expertise in the commercial and residential security sectors.
Safety Tips
SAPS Details
- SAPS CRIME STOP:
08600 10111
SAPS EMERGENCY LINE:
10111
www.saps.gov.za
Perimeter Protection
- A high perimeter system offers a higher deterrent value.
- The primary aim of a fence is to make access/intrusion difficult and to allow dogs to move freely around the house.
- Ensure that your gates are locked at all times and that the keys cannot be reached easily and are not lying around uncontrolled.
- Security gates with sturdy locks in front of each outer door as well as burglar proofing covering all windows, are recommended.
- Trim large branches to prevent intrusion.
Alarm Systems
- An alarm system, preferably connected to an armed response company, can act as an effective early warning system.
- A few fixed or remote panic buttons in different rooms of the house should preferably be installed.
- An external passive system with the capability to warn the occupants of any intrusion onto the property.
- Examples of alarm systems:
- Mechanical and/or electrical (purchased types)
- Improvised systems
- Threaded tins
- Threaded pieces of iron
- Gravel on window pains, pathways or around the home
- Obstacles that can make a noise when moved
- Biological Systems:
- Dogs
- Geese
- Ostriches
Security Lights
- Security lights on the outside of the house improve the physical protection of the home
- The lights must be directed away from the house and must allow the occupants to use the windows without being observed from outside.
- Be aware of possible shadows and blind spots.
Safety Precautions
- Ensure that all doors are locked at all times, and that windows are closed when you are not at home.
- Large dogs serve as a deterrent. At least one dog should be trained to sleep inside the house.
- If you leave your residence, inform your family/ neighbours of your intended destination, time you expect to return and the route you will be driving, especially if you reside in an urban area.
- Ensure that tools such as axes, spades, picks, ladders, etc that can be used in an attack, are locked away when you do not use them.
- Vary your daily routine.
- Get into the habit of not immediately falling asleep after switching off the lights. Remain awake for a while.
- You should not be visible in the bedroom from the outside when you are asleep.
- Always keep a torch nearby at night and when you use it, ensure that you do not give away your position.
- If you are unsure about the security status of your home after returning from work/a visit, eg your dogs do not come to the gate, do not enter your home.
- Contact your security service provider to assist you in securing your home.
- Employees must be involved in maintaining security on an equal footing. Report suspicious behaviour and information to the South African Police Service or your security service provider.
- Clear the areas around the gates of bushes and other hiding places.
- Take photographs of all employees. It could be to your advantage to identify them, if required.
- Remunerate your employees when useful information is provided that contribute to the prevention of crime.
- Do not employ casual workers without a reference.
- Keep copies of all your employees - Identity Documents (ID's).
- Ensure that you have a good relationship with your neighbours so that you will be in a good position to support and help each other.
Access and Key Control
- Do not allow strangers on your premises or in your house without having properly identifying the person, especially at night.
- Implement proper key control measures.
- Identify keys by means of codes instead of indicating in writing on labels to which gate/door access can be gained.
- Keys to the safe must be kept on the person.
- Never hide any keys in traditional places, such as in pot plants or under doormats.
- Keys in the keyhole on the inside of the front or back door should be turned to avoid easy removal.
- Never allow strangers to handle keys or look at key numbers.
- Change locks when keys are lost.
- Insert barring devices in door locks.
- Remove keys from doors when leaving.
Communication
- There should be two systems for alternative back up:
- Telephone
- Cellular phone
- Have the telephone installed where it is easily accessible from anywhere in the house.
- Inform your children not to give an indication that adult supervision is not available when they answer the phone.
Warning Signs
- Z painted on stopsign or on road –houses in street targeted for burglary.
- Pile of little stones - warns of dogs
- Two big stones together - two old people
- Stones placed in a row - indicates how many people in the house
- Swazika painted on road - houses in street targeted for burglary. Direction of the swazika indicates which house is the target.
- Colours:
Red:
coke tin, red cloth, crisp packet etc - can expect resistance.- 2 coke tins - owner is armed.
- Coke tin, opening towards the house - someone is home.
- Upright coke tin - nobody home
sorghum carton, plastic bag - Easy target- Sorghum carton facing towards house - target marked
- White plastic bag in fence - easy target
direction marker- The direction that the bottle is pointing indicates the direction they should proceed.
Clicks packets, etc - Easy target and someone inside will help.
Black:
stock theft - Animals:
Dogs:
- Listen to your barking dog - the way your dog barks can indicate to you what is the matter
- Poisoning:
- If a dog dies suddenly or vomits, check for black specks in the vomit or white powder near the dog.
- Please report all dog poisonings to the SAPS who MUST give you a case number.
- Kiewiets (and geese) are excellent watch dogs.
- They sound the alarm when a human encrouches on their territory.
- Become aware of their various calls.
- Litter in front of your home:
- Simba (or Lays) chips packets:
normally neatly folded, but sometimes weighed down by something inside the packet - Crisp packet – facing the house:
Owner at home - Crisp packet – facing the road:
No-one home - Shoes and shoesoles near or by the gate:
No-one home and direction of the shoes indicates the escape route
- Simba (or Lays) chips packets:
- Dropped Calls
Wrong numbers on your house or cell phone – checking if you are home - Electricity off at the main box
When you go out to check, the house is open and the people inside are soft targets. - Strange items in front of your house:
e.g: cardboard box, bricks, neighbour’s tree branch
Brick - normally indicates a car to be stolen
2 or 3 bricks (normally new bricks) - house robbery- Do not stop to remove items, as you will become a soft target.
- Phone the police or your security company to assist you.
- Keep safe by:
- Removing all items, once the perimeter is safe
- Painting over painted signs
- Keeping your pavement neat and tidy. Remove all possible markers and dispose of in the rubbish bin.
- NB! Being aware at all times.