Safe as Houses?
Many people presume that they are ‘safe as houses’ living in apartment blocks, townhouse or cluster complexes, but, to quote another adage, there is ‘no such thing as a burglarproof home’.
According to Fabian Angiers, General Manager of Dial Direct Insurance: “Communal living has definitely become commonplace in South Africa. Just take a look around you, these days you can’t turn a corner without seeing signs advertising a new apartment block, townhouse or cluster complex. Prices for these properties come at a premium due to the allure of safety and peace-of-mind, but we live in a country where crime is rife, and everyone is at risk, no matter how high the surrounding wall.”
Angiers, continues: “Even though living in such close proximity to others does have its benefits in terms of safety, and all complexes are normally surrounded by electric fencing and have a security guard or night watchman in place, there are no guarantees when it comes to lock-up-and-go abodes.”
Dial Direct Insurance offers the following guidelines to ensure your safety in an apartment block, townhouse or cluster complex:
For starters, it is most important to make sure you get to know the security guards who work in your complex, and any gardening staff or caretakers who may be employed there. In addition, get to know your neighbours as being on good terms with your immediate neighbours will be the beginning of an informal neighbourhood watch. Remember that you are dependent on your co-residents when it comes to security.
In a townhouse complex, it is now too easy for tenants to purchase duplicate copies of even the most advanced coded gate remotes. These extra remotes can be handed to people that should not necessarily have access to the complex. It is advisable to monitor who has access to your block or complex and ensure that non-residents who are admitted to the complex are made to sign a register. It may be an annoyance, but it is well worth doing.
Ensure that the electric fencing around the perimeter of your complex is live, and that someone has the task of checking this on a daily basis. Also make sure that the electric fencing is free from any foliage, which may prevent it from working effectively.
In an apartment block, it is imperative that the front doors to the building are electronically controlled, again to ensure that not just anyone has access to the building. Also, all opening windows should be barred, and security gates should be fitted to doors that open onto the corridors, even in those apartments that are several floors up from ground level.
Angiers concludes: “Living in communal blocks or complexes should mean that there are extra eyes looking out for one another. Regrettably though, break-ins and theft do still take place. It is important that one does not adopt a false sense of security when living behind high walls and imposing gates - vigilance is key.”