Tips to make your home more secure

Ensure that your gate is always closed and caution family members to only open for invited guests. FILE PHOTO

Though many people only worry about nighttime security, most burglaries occur during the day when most people are at work, school, or running errands. It’s important to take precautions during the day, at night, and any time you leave the house to ensure your home stays secure

Despite wide spread crime throughout most residential areas in Uganda, Patrick Obete, an independent security personnel, believes that a person regardless of where their home is situated, has to take extra care to ensure the their family’s security.

Lighting
Obete says you should place security lights in spots around your home that are likely to be dark at night.

“Usually, such places are prone to penetration by criminals. For example, your gate should always be well lit because this is the first place criminals will see as an entry into your home. You should also be able to see clearly as you access your home since intruders hide in the dark,” he says.

Clear bushes
Besides harbouring disease carrying insects/animals and being a dumping area for garbage, bushy areas can also harbour criminals. Therefore, clear all bushes near your home and instead find a better way to occupy the space such as planting a home garden.

Security guard(s)
Sometimes there is need for physical presence and hiring a security guard might be the best option. Arinaitwe however says that sometimes this can be too expensive for some people. He advises that in this case, one can mostly rely on the good will of their or neighbours in case they are not around.
“In trying to promote good security in residential areas, cooperation among people living in an area is key. However, involve the police so that any suspicious persons are reported immediately,” he says.

Install cameras
According to smallbusiness.chron.com, an online portal, security cameras that are internet-ready are a good way of monitoring your home or your business. They can be viewed from almost any location that has a computer with internet connection. This allows owners to keep an eye on their property while they are away. There are even surveillance systems that can notify you through email when movement has been detected.

Security cameras that are equipped with motion sensors give them the capability of detecting movements. Even the slightest movement can trigger these motion sensors to start the video recording process.

“Cameras can be important when an investigation of why and how a crime was committed is being carried out,” says Patrick Obete.

Security sensors
“Sometimes criminals may end up beating the already set security system,” Obete cautions. In this case, he says, installation of security sensors works. However, these can only work if a person’s home is already under surveillance with a contracted security agency.

“If anyone beats the security system, then sensors can enable a contracted security agency detect him or her,” says Obete.