The 2013/2014 Stats SA Victims of Crime Survey revealed that 59.7% of households in the country fear house breaking and house burglaries, which makes it the most feared crime for households. These statistics highlight the growing need for consumers to look into new forms of preventative security measures to ensure that their homes are well-protected.
This is according to Christelle Fourie, Managing Director of MUA Insurance Acceptances, who says that there are a number of steps homeowners can take to not only better ensure the security of their possessions but their loved ones as well. This includes installing motion detectors, CCTV cameras, have a working alarm system, change daily routines, take caution when employing domestic workers and making friends with the neighbours.
“Utilising new technological advancements and preventative measures have become even more critical when one considers that thieves have also become increasingly smarter and faster in the methods they use to break into homes,” she adds.
Fourie also points out that consumers face an increased risk with the current increase in loadshedding as their home alarm systems are deactivated during power cuts. “At MUA we are experiencing an increase in housebreakings and robberies during times of loadshedding.”
She foresees that when the SAPS 2014/2015 crime stats are released later this year, the trend will be reflected in the statistics and the numbers of home robberies will have increased for the period due to increased occurrence in loadshedding. “Homeowners should therefore take special care to ensure that they are implementing proper security measures to not fall victim to a house robbery.
Many of these security measures will also be beneficial for the consumer when they are taking out home insurance policies in an effort to lower their monthly premiums, concludes Fourie.