An estate or a complex is often a safe environment, where the kids can ride on their bicycles and walk to their friends’ houses without you having to worry about their safety.
Sometimes, however, gated community living can create a false sense of security, which might lead to opportune scenarios for potential criminal activity.
It’s easy to become complacent about your security and drop your guard as soon as you drive into the estate or complex you live in. Adopting good personal safety habits and sharing these with your family members and domestic staff is key in preventing potentially dangerous situations.
Stay alert and aware of your safety with these five tips from Fidelity Services Group to keep yourself, your loved ones and your home secure:
Perimeter security is not enough: Once criminals gain access to properties within estates, they often have free rein because residents become complacent about their home security within these developments. Be sure to lock doors and windows and ensure vehicles are locked, even if parked in a garage. Do not leave valuables lying around, particularly where they may be visible to passers-by. If you have an alarm system installed, make sure it is armed when you are away and also at night when you are asleep. Most systems operate in zones, which makes it easy to activate those zones of the house that you are not using.
Ask for references for domestic staff: Check the references of your domestic worker and gardener. Crimes within estates are often carried out with the assistance of a domestic staff member. Educate them on keeping your home secure when you are not there.
Be aware of construction: Having construction workers on site within estates has historically resulted in elevated crime levels. Whether this is a direct result of construction workers having access to the estate, or because of the increase in traffic in and out of the estate, remains a mystery. Take extra precautions.
Report suspicious behaviour: One of the modus operandi within estates is for a crime syndicate to move into a home for a while. During this time they monitor the behaviour of residents and initiate house break-ins in the estate before moving out.
Be alert when entering and exiting the estate: Criminals have targeted residents leaving from or returning to estates and hijacked them a few metres from the gates or followed them inside and robbed them by tailgating them as they enter the premises. The reality is that people relax and become less and less alert the closer they get to home. Do not think that just because there is a security guard at the gate, you can become complacent.
Know your neighbours: Get the contact details for the home-owners next door so that you can reach them in case of an emergency or if you suspect that something might be amiss.
