We all need to be focused to prevent domestic burglaries in the Turks and Caicos Islands, especially in November and December at the onset of Thanksgiving and through the Christmas Season.
November historically has been a high-risk period for burglaries, including home invasion attacks at both residential and vacation homes and villas. We brief our security patrols to heighten their focus on these specific threats through this period, as well as paying attention to all security issues.
Our objective is clear – it’s to keep you secure.
Please feel free to read our brief guide with tips to keep your property more secure as we approach November and December and indeed, at all times through the year.
Basic home security and simple measures are the best way to reduce your chances of being burgled. A lot of burglaries are committed on the spur of the moment, as a burglar may see an open window or other easy point of entry and take their chance. These are opportunist events. However, serious criminals often plan their attacks to give them the best chance of success and escape. It is against both types of criminals that we need to work with you to defend as much as possible against attack and to prevent you, your family, your guests, and your property from becoming victims.
Tips to consider:
· Securely lock all doors and windows before leaving the house. It's easy to forget when you're in a hurry, but it's the simplest way for a burglar to enter your home. The same goes for nighttime. Most nighttime burglaries are through unlocked doors and windows. It's a fact. Check them and brief your guests to do that as well.
· Remember to set your intruder alarm when you leave and set it in ‘night mode’ at night. But first check your alarm system to make sure it's working as it should do. Not all alarm systems are ‘equal.’ Nor do all work as they should do.
· Make sure your family and your guests know how to use your alarm system and make sure it's monitored by a reputable security provider.
· A home that looks empty is far more likely to be targeted by a burglar, so it's worth making sure your home looks occupied. Use automatic timer-switches to turn on a light and perhaps a TV or radio when it goes dark, even if you are just out for a couple of hours.
· Prevent easy access to the back and sides of your home by installing locked gates, 2 metre minimum fencing, or walls. Trellis topping also makes climbing difficult. External sensors on your beachfront and connected to your alarm system also work well.
· Security lighting can be used to make offenders feel vulnerable and observed. It is suggested that you use dusk to dawn lighting. Don't have any dark areas nearby doors or access points where a person may hide unseen and surprise you.
· Visible and audible burglar alarms are a deterrent. We offer a unique alarm system that is highly effective and very user friendly with a panic feature that can be operated from your phone, a push button by your bed and a key fob. Being wireless there's no messy conduits, or lots of drilling to run wires, so it's easy to replace your ageing system. Our alarm system looks beautiful too.
· Check and observe the area of your doorways when approaching or leaving your property and vehicle. This is true when away from your home also.
· Never discuss your security requirements, or existing arrangements with anyone other than your trusted security provider.
· Work with your neighbours to keep an eye on each other's security, Neighbourhood Watch groups are good for this.
· In an emergency, if we are your provider and we patrol your area, call our Control Centre on 3336577. Also call the police on 911.
And finally, use our security services, guarding, mobile patrol, alarm, and monitoring, for your protection, so you and your guests get a good nights sleep.
If you do look elsewhere, always perform due diligence on any security provider you may be thinking of choosing. Make sure they can show you their business licence for security services, their letters of good standing with NIB and NHIB, that they have employers and public liability insurance cover for at least $1,000,000 and that they can prove that the officers provided to you have the legal right to work in Turks & Caicos. Don’t wait until the drama or worse has unfolded. Its too late then.
As my old mentor used to say, ‘If you think security is expensive, wait until you get a bad security provider.’
You only get one chance at good security. Don’t waste it.