South Africa, unfortunately, has a high crime rate which causes concern for families when we consider home robberies. We have all heard or read the horror stories of a family caught up in a home robbery and what can happen to them. Here is how you can create a safety zone at home to prevent the worst from happening to your loved ones.
The first thing you will need to do when creating a safety zone in your home is select the best area for your family to be safe in. The safety zone will need to be easily accessible in times of emergencies where every member can get to quickly without any obstructions. Many homes will choose the main bedroom as the safety zone because many homes often have all the bedrooms in the same area and the main bedroom is the largest. Have security barriers and gates installed to separate your safety zone from the rest of the house.
Make sure that in your safety zone there is an emergency exit. Consider having your security gate or “inside block off”, installed in your hallway, to separate your safety zone from the rest of the house. Make sure that in your safety zone there is also an emergency exit.
We suggest having side-lock slider security gates across your aluminium windows in your bathroom/bedroom, as you can then slide these across and escape from the windows. We can also install side-lock slider gates across your sliding doors, if you have them on your bedrooms leading out into the garden.
Always remember to put your keys somewhere safe, where you can get to them easily and where no one will find them. This will help your family to get out of the home if there is an absolute crisis. This is most easily accomplished by having a security barrier which can slide open across a window or door which leads outside.
Make sure that all the essentials you will need in an emergency are stored in your safety zone and are easily accessible. Some items you should consider keeping in your safe zone includes a list of emergency numbers and contacts, an asthma pump if anyone in your family has asthma, a torch in case your power has been cut, and a panic button to contact your security company. You may also want to make sure that house and car keys are kept in your safety zone so you have easy access to them and any home invaders can’t get to them.
Make sure that your family is well aware of what to do and where to go in case of an emergency. If you have small children, it may be a good idea to have a few practice runs to avoid confusion or mistakes if there is a situation. Also advise your domestic worker what to do in an emergency, especially if she is home taking care of your little ones.
Having a well thought out emergency plan is a great way to avoid any unfortunate situations in the event of a home invasion. A safety zone will be able to help keep you and your family safe during a crisis long enough for emergency services, the police, or your security company to arrive and take care of the situation safely.
Need help with creating your safety zone at home?
Sequ-Door has grown into one of the leading companies in South Africa for the manufacture and installation of high-quality security doors, security windows, and burglar proofing.
We specialize in home conversions, patio enclosures, aluminum doors and windows, and a robust range of security barrier solutions will put your mind at ease. All our expandable security doors and windows come standard with a Slam-Lock feature, providing instant security in times of emergency.
Email: sales@sequ-door.co.za
Tel: 087 073 6677
