While rushing around to finalise all their holiday plans South Africans are warned to consider the quality of their current safety and security system and if it will be good enough to look after their houses while they are away enjoying their blissful holiday. 

Santam Insurance wants to make homeowners aware of the fact that their empty homes may be very susceptible to break-ins and that they must take needed preventative action that will help them steer clear of stress and financial damage upon returning from their holidays. 

Santam recommends that homeowners identify likely risks that will help avoid problems in their absence. The insurance company has some safety tips for homeowners this festive season. 

First off all, an empty house is a very attractive and easy target. So, homeowners must make potential burglers believe there are people in the house, even if there is not. This can be achieved by preventing rubbish bins form being overfull, mail accumulating in the mail box and newspaper deliveries from pilling up on the doormat. 

Robbers look around for empty houses because it makes their job a lot easier. Santam advise homeowners to put their newspaper deliveries on hold for the duration of their holidays and that they ask their friends and neighbours to keep quiet regarding their vacation. News spreads fast and it might just end up reaching the wrong pair of ears. 

Santam also recommend leaving lights and televisions on in the empty house for the duration of the holiday. This will add to the elusion that someone is home. Motion detector outside can light up an unwanted visitor on the property at night. 

Houses must be protected on the in- and outside. It is a good idea to add high-quality locks and to fit security deadlocks on all main doorways. 

A final note from Santam is to make sure you don’t provide tools to make the thieves’ job easier. Store all ladders, tall objects and tools in a locked garage so that they can not get onto your roof and breaking a window poses a bit more of a challenge.