Every year we see a spike in crime during the festive season. House robbery and burglary are included as crimes that increase at this time. Use our checklist of tried and tested home security solutions to help you avoid becoming a target this year. It includes Trellidor home security products that you can use to keep criminals out of your home.
Physical home security solutions
Home security barriers are physical obstacles that are fitted in front of or behind your doors and windows. They can be fitted in passages, on stairways, and around patios too. Their purpose is to block unauthorised entry into your home.
There are many types of security barrier. The list includes home security gates, roller shutters, burglar bars, and security screens. They can be manufactured from steel, aluminium, or a combination of these as in the case of mesh security screens.
Ideally, the window and door barriers you have installed should be combined with cameras, an alarm system, remote controlled driveway gates, and remote monitoring from your smartphone. This provides all round coverage when you’re away on holiday or even just out shopping.
The bottom line, though, is that physical security barriers act as your last line of defence when all else fails to keep criminals out of your personal space. They form an obstacle for burglars or home invaders to overcome in order to get to you or your belongings. If these barriers are strong enough, they may discourage the criminals. If the home invaders persist, your home security solutions should give you time to escape or call for help.
You may already have some physical security barriers on your doors and windows. Or perhaps you’re only just starting to find ways of protecting your home from a break-in. Whatever the case, the holiday checklist that follows will help you make sure you have the best home security gates or other protective barrier designs possible within your budget.
Your Holiday Security Checklist
1. Do a Pre-Season Home Security Check
The first step towards a home security solution for the holidays is to assess what you already have in place. Your local Trellidor outlet will do this for you for free if you book an appointment with a Trellidor security consultant.
What needs to be done:
- Do a thorough check of your existing door and window barriers. Are they in good condition i.e. no rust or corrosion and no loose fixings? Are the locks still working freely and do you know where all the keys are?
- Are all your windows and entry doors protected with dependable physical barriers? Or are some openings into your home unprotected?
- Make a note of any barriers that need repairs or replacement and any doors or windows that don’t have a barrier protecting them.
2. Study your Home like a Burglar
This is what burglars often do before a break-in. It gives them a good idea of where the weak points in your security are and how they can exploit them.
What needs to be done:
- Stand outside your home and take a good look at all the entry points. Are any windows or doors easy to get through and into your home? Add these to your notes under ‘openings to secure with barriers’ if they aren’t already listed.
- What does your security look like from the outside? Highly visible barriers send a message that your property is not an easy target. Visible signage like ‘This Property is Secured by Trellidor’ are a psychological deterrent because they increase the perceived risk for intruders.
- Are you in the habit of leaving bins, ladders, and tools around outside? All of these and more are what burglars make use of to get inside your home. Tidy them away somewhere inaccessible, like a lock-up garage or courtyard.
3. Check your Electronic Security
It is so easy to lose track of when you last refreshed batteries on remote controls. Or whether power outages have damaged the battery back-up for your driveway gates and other barriers. It’s not ideal to find out they are not working when you’re confronted by an emergency. Do these checks before the holidays when suppliers are still open and available to do repairs or replacements.
What needs to be done:
- Test batteries and battery back-up on all your security systems well before the holidays. This includes sensor beams, panic buttons, smoke alarms, burglar alarms, automated shutters, driveway gates and garage doors.
- Replace any batteries that aren’t working 100%. You don’t want them to let you down in a crisis.
- If any of these systems are Trellidor home security products like motorised roller shutter doors, call your local Trellidor outlet to check them for you.
4. Develop Good Security Habits
For the sake of convenience, many people switch off alarms and leave doors and windows open when at home. However, this makes you and your home an easy target for intruders. It takes effort to develop good security habits but is so worth it.
What needs to be done:
- When you leave home: train yourself and your family to close and lock all windows, doors, security gates, burglar proofing, patio and passage gates. Do this even for short trips like shopping, but especially when leaving for an extended holiday.
- When at home: make sure you actually use your home security gates and other barriers. Keep security gates and burglar bars closed and locked, and you won’t be caught by surprise. This gives you peace of mind while you relax during your home staycation.
5. Plan for the Best Home Security Solution within Budget
It is far more cost-effective to invest in good quality security barriers than to deal with the trauma and expense of a burglary. A reassuring layer of protective physical home security is invaluable in enabling you and your family to relax and enjoy your holiday, whether at home or away.
What needs to be done:
- Consult a Trellidor security expert to help you plan for a safer home. They can help you prioritise weak points and make these secure. The rest can follow as budget allows.
- Make use of manageable finance plans to secure your home. Trellidor offers a 6-month interest-free loan amongst others to make a safe home a reality for you now rather than waiting until disaster strikes.
- If you can’t afford to secure your entire home now, pick an area to start with and make it a ‘safe zone’ for your family and prized possessions. A bedroom safe haven keeps you safe at night if you holiday at home. It can be used to store valuables if you are travelling away from home.
Find out more about Trellidor home security products
Customers are spoilt for choice with Trellidor security barrier options. There is a large range in terms of design and well as price. From highly visible to incredibly discrete, there are products to suit your style.
Here are some ideas on how to use them:
- Trellis-style sliding security gates in steel or aluminium – entry doors; windows; passages; access between garage and house.
- Aluminium louvre shutters – windows; doors; patios.
- Burglar proofing – there is a style to suit every home, from polycarbonate bars to trellis-style; cottage pane; mesh screens; louvre shutters; and roller shutters.
- Mesh security screens – entry doors; windows; passages; patios.
- Sectional overhead doors – garage; entertainment area.
- Aluminium roller shutters – entry doors; windows; passages; stairways; access between garage and house.
With your home security sorted out with help from the experts, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the festive season. You’ll be safe in the knowledge that you’ve done your best to avoid becoming part of the SA crime stats and can make the most of this wonderful time of the year.
