Avoid holiday blues with a security check list
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2011
Wed
09
Nov
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Mandy Barrett, Aon South Africa
Thousands of South Africans will shortly head for the countryside, mountains or the coast to rest and recuperate after a year that’s been more demanding than most. But it’s precisely the time when the baddies know homes and valuables are vulnerable.
Which is why insurance brokers Aon South Africa have put together a handy pre-holiday security check list, which company spokesperson Mandy Barrett says deserves attention to avoid the possibility of an accident or incident that could spoil your holiday.
“The whole idea is to prevent the ‘would have, could have, should have,’ syndrome by ticking the boxes below” she suggests.
- Leave a spare set of keys, as well as a contact address and phone number, with a trusted neighbour in case of an emergency, such as a fire, a burglary or re-setting your alarm
- Keep your incident management card handy in case of household emergencies
- Test the response of your security company to your alarm and notify them or your neighbourhood watch that you are going away.
- Place any weapons, valuables and important documents in a safe or a bank safety deposit box
- Lock the mains box outside your property
- Check that your insurance details and premiums are up to date
- Create a household asset register with photographs and valuation certificates
- Pay your lights and water bill – you don’t need a power or water cut while you are away
- Make sure your All Risks cover includes valuables you are taking on holiday. Take your medical aid details or card with you.
- Appoint a reputable house sitting service to keep tabs on your property and to switch on lights, feed pets, clear post boxes of mail, water plants and put out rubbish bins on collection day – and to let you or your neighbour know if there’s a problem.
- Cancel deliveries of newspapers.
- Place sufficient funds in your bank account to pay for any urgent problem.
- Disconnect computers, TV’s and other lightning sensitive equipment including TV aerials.
- Immobilise any vehicles you leave behind.
- Arrange for insurance cover before you leave a shop with an expensive purchase
- Check that any trailers and cars you use on holiday are roadworthy, properly licensed and that insurance premiums are up to date.
- Make sure your tracker or similar device is working – if you had your car serviced recently the device may have been disabled and your insurance cover could be void.
- Pay any outstanding traffic fines to avoid problems with the traffic police.
- You should already have automatic light switch mechanisms, alarm sensors on easily accessible windows, expanding security gates in doorways, a secure gate motor, movement sensor lights near doors, barred windows, securely fitted air conditioners and house numbers that are clearly visible from the street - and roof for that matter!
- Ensure your license is still valid and that it’s valid outside SA if you are crossing the border.
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