Security guard deters burglars

While steps can be taken to make your house seem occupied, it is often difficult to keep your absence a secret.
Domestic staff, even though they may have been warned not to tell anyone of your absence, may be noticed engaged in leisure pursuits at times when they would normally be working, providing a good clue to the fact their employers are away.
The person you leave your house keys with may mention to someone else that you are away. Vendors, people looking for jobs and various other people may call at your gate and notice that there never seems to be anyone at home.
Quickly word can go round that you seem to be away. It may not be long before those who make their living from stealing get to hear that your house is unoccupied.
If you have an alarm system or have had one temporarily installed linked to a rapid response service, this will provide you with good protection, if your property is broken into. A sign warning that the property is protected by an alarm or rapid response service will act as a deterrent to burglars.
However, the presence of a security guard on the premises, particularly if he makes his presence seen, provides an immediate deterrent to those contemplating burgling your house.
To break in they would have to get past the guard. If the guard has a guard dog with him, that is a greater deterrent still.
In deciding whether you need guard services 24 hours a day or just during the night, it is necessary to look at what the  risks are.
If there is nobody staying on the premises, 24 hour guard services would be indicated. If you have domestic staff or other people living on the premises, then a night guard might be sufficient.
In deciding which security company to engage for guard services, find out what different companies offer in terms of the standard of training, equipping of guards, supervision of guards and back-up services. Whether the guard has a two-way radio or not is important.
Make your enquiries now and book the guard service, even if your holiday is still a few weeks away. If you leave it to the last minute, you may end up with insufficient time to make the necessary enquiries and ensure you have hired the most effective guard service.
Resist the temptation to save money by utilising your gardener or his brother as a security guard. A well trained, adequately equipped and well supervised guard with a radio to summon assistance if necessary will provide the best security for your property.
Do remember, when balancing the risks and the cost of security services, that having to replace stolen goods is likely to cost considerably more than the cost of hiring a security guard, installing an alarm system or installing a rapid response radio link.
The same arguments can be applied to protecting business premises during the holiday period.
The incidence of burglary and theft tends to increase markedly at holiday periods, particularly at Christmas time, when many businesses have an extended break that coincides with part of the school holidays.
If you cannot afford a security guard, some security companies can be asked to do spot checks of the premises to make sure everything is in order. It’s definitely a second best option but one that is worth considering.

– This column is
sponsored by Safeguard Security in the public interest. If you have security issues you would like advice on in this column, please
e-mail your request to mail@mhpr.co.zw
or phone Jackie on 751395-9.