Security over the holidays and how to green it

Burglary is an unfortunate reality not only in South Africa but all around Southern Africa.  With the holidays fast approaching crime is regrettably on the rise.  Break in’s can and will have a huge impact on you and your family’s sense of safety and well-being. Luckily there are measures of prevention you can put in place to boost security in your home. Here are a few tips to keep your house safe over the festive season:

1. Don’t display you’re away:
   It is much easier to break – in when no one is at home. Make your house look occupied when you’re gone, or better yet, hire a house sitter!
2. Make it hard to break in:
   The harder it is to break in, the less likely it is that the break in will actually happen. Don’t leave anything unlocked and never leave a ladder outside. The burglars can use the ladder to access the roof etc.
3. Know your neighbors:
   Neighbors should look out for each other. Ask them to keep an eye on your home if you’re away. Consider implementing a neighborhood watch program. It is a nice way to get to know everyone in the neighborhood and also promotes a strong sense of community spirit.
4. Make it hard for them to hide:
   Take the robber’s cover way. A burglar will most likely target a house that has hiding places. Make use of outside security lighting to illuminate every access door. Trim trees and shrubs.
5. Make use of home security:
   Home security isn’t a guarantee that burglars won’t enter your home, but home security makes it more difficult for the burglar to enter and increases their risk of being seen and caught. With a home security system in place the burglar will most likely give up and look for an easier target.

Every single security system’s energy consumption is roughly associated to the amount of electrical power used to operate it. Usually when a security system is dimensioned the power usage doesn’t represent an important and decisive criteria, but every single consumer added to your system increases the electrical power bill. Spend some extra minutes with your security provider in order to find the optimal solution in matter of power consumption.

Greenleaf Alternative Solutions uses only the best quality security brands and products giving you piece of mind while enjoying your holidays this festive season.  Our products power consumption is low and won’t blow your power bill out of the water every month.

When considering a security system start with the following options:

1. IP cameras
2. CCTV surveillance
3. Access Control
4. Alarm Systems

These systems can all be tied together seamlessly with home automation, another service Green Leaf proudly offers clients.  Don’t hesitate to contact us today for a tailor made solution to suit your home and budget.

A big thanks to Cora Van Niekerk for her massive contribution to the December and January Green Leaf newsletter’s!  Cora is a 3rd year marketing student with the University of the Free State. Cora has been working as an intern with Green Leaf through November and December.