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If you live in South Africa, you should be aware of the recent spikes in different types of crime. It’s reported that the rate of house break-ins in 2021/22 was estimated at 1.4 million. In addition, there are two months, December and June, that see a considerable increase in this specific crime.

In December, most people are on holiday, creating an opportunity for criminals to break in. However, in the first month of winter, June, there’s a spike in the number of reported break-ins. house break-ins increase in winter and the five simple ways you can protect your home.

Winter Blues and House Break-ins

As winter creeps in and the nights become longer while the days are shorter, criminals find this time of year ideal for breaking into your home. Another interesting fact is that you tend to sleep more in winter as your body produces more sleeping hormones than in summer. Since you tend to sleep more soundly, criminals get more time to enter your home without you hearing them.

Simple Tips to Keep Your Home Secure This Winter

Secure Your Doors

Criminals are bold because they can use your front door to get in and steal your valuable items. If you last inspected your entries a while ago, this is the ideal time to do so. You should ensure that your doors are solid and secure from any attempts to break into your home.

For example, you can check your door hinges to see if they’re protected and secure on your door frame. Another thing you can add is a deadbolt. And consider changing your door locks.

Check Your Windows

Windows are another common way that criminals gain access to your home. It’s necessary to ensure your windows are secure, especially when you’re not home. Start by checking your window latches.

If they’ve weakened over the years, consider replacing them. Try to make all the windows in your home more burglar-proof. For instance, you can add window bars to ensure that even when criminals break your windows, they still can’t enter your home.

Don’t Forget the Garage

If you have a garage, there’s a high chance you’ve been storing some valuable things there over the years. Make it a habit to check if you still have everything you’ve kept safely there. Most importantly, it would help if you made it a routine to lock the doors and windows in your garage.

These are some tips you can use to improve the security in your garage.

• Cover the windows to hide what you store inside.
• Add extra locks on the doors.
• Install a security light outside your garage.

Trim Down Your Trees and Plants

As much as your trees add appeal to your landscape, they can be a perfect hiding place for criminals trying to break into your home. It would help if you considered cutting down some of your trees and trimming any shrubs that can be used as a hiding place. In certain instances, if you have trees near your window, it isn’t easy to see if someone is watching you from the outside.

If you leave things like ladders and chairs in the yard, you should put them in a safe, locked space. Thieves can use what they find in your yard to enter your home.

Keep Your Valuable Items Secure

When criminals break into your home, they look for specific things. For example, they’ll likely start looking for valuables like money and jewellery in your bedroom. Try keeping the following items in a safe place should anyone try to break in.

• Designer clothes and bags.
• Electronics such as TVs and laptops.
• Portable appliances.
• Personal documents such as credit cards and passports.
• Firearms.

As much as you can’t always avoid a house break-in, it’s better to have safety measures in place. This guide is an excellent place to start if you need help figuring out where to improve your home security. The iER App is there for you if you ever have anyone break into your home.

To keep yourself and loved ones protected, use the silent alert or panic button features to contact emergency help. You have access to more than 13 000 emergency service providers nationwide, and you’ll receive immediate assistance from our skilled response agents.