Let’s face it, money is tight. We all have big plans for home renovations and expansions this year but finding the money to pay for all those fancy design dreams, is a whole different question.
“There are a couple of easy ways to make very important fixes to your home security in 2025. We suggest considering these for now while you start to budget for those bigger ticket items such as new rooms or additions to the outside of the house.
“By following these five tips, we hope you can at least sleep easier this year knowing that your home and your loved ones are safer and better protected,” says Charnel Hattingh, Group Head of Communications and Marketing at Fidelity ADT.
Know your neighbours.
The people who live next door to you or on your street are important allies in any effort to drive crime out. When neighbours know each other and look out for one another, there is a better chance that any suspicious activity will be quickly spotted and reported to authorities. Your neighbour will often also be the first person to respond when something goes wrong.
Clear the garden clutter and trim the trees.
It is better not to leave any items lying around the garden that could be used to gain access to your home, such as ladders, brooms, axes, or other garden equipment. If you have a tree that has grown and offers an easy way to get over your fence, it’s best to trim it back. Similarly, look to see if any of the bushes have grown so much that they obstruct any outside passive alarm sensors you may have installed.
Think like a criminal.
Stand at your outside gate and see how easy it is to get onto your property and into your house. Is there a window that stands open, or a gate that has a broken lock? Does the door from your garage into the main residence, have a lock that works and is used every day? Start with the outside perimeter and then work inwards towards all access points. This is a surefire way to identify any areas that require urgent attention.
Update your security company and test your system.
Your armed response company needs to always have your correct and current contact information, so there is no time wasted in an emergency. Make sure they have your new cellphone number, and also those of others in your home. If you recently adopted any dogs, make sure that this is also loaded onto your profile so that any responding armed response officer knows to expect a large dog if they need to come to your assistance early in the morning. It is also very important to test the alarm system regularly (especially the battery backup) so that you are certain that any alarm signals are received by your service provider.
Talk to your loved ones.
Personal safety is an important discussion that we should all be having with our loved ones. Make sure everyone knows what personal safety habits they should be following and what the best way is to respond when something goes wrong. Does everyone understand why it is important to never let doors and windows stand open, especially those that face onto the street? If you have small children, find a fun way to show them how to call for help or to use the panic alarm in an emergency.
“Speak to your armed response company today if you need any trained assistance in better protecting your home and your loved ones this year,” says Hattingh.