Keep-safe tips for holiday season

Business owners

• Make sure the alarm is working properly.
  
• Park the fleet in a secure place, under lock and key, preferably with a security guard
  
• Do a quick check of electrical equipment for potential fire-causing bad connections.
  
• Pack all valuable goods away in a storeroom where passers-by cannot see them.
  
• Make sure anyone who has access to your premises knows how to use the alarm and has a comprehensive list of emergency contact numbers.
  
• Do not rely on the CCTV system. Hire a security company to keep an eye on your business whilst it is locked up for the holidays.
  
• Go over your insurance policies or contact your broker to verify the terms of your policy to ensure everything is up to date and that you are not under- or over-insured.
  
• Make sure there are at least two people in the area that you can contact in case of emergency and who can contact you easily and quickly

Homeowners

• Don't tell the world (on Facebook or Twitter) when you're going away and how long you'll be gone for - more than your friends may be interested in this.
  
• Leave a spare set of house keys with someone you trust. Do not leave the spare keys outside under a flowerpot or in the post-box. Also, give them copies of your flight tickets, passports, contact numbers, itinerary, travel insurance documents, travellers' cheques and ID books.
  
• Except for the fridge and freezer, unplug all electrical appliances to prevent the possibility of fire. Turning your geyser off will save electricity charges.
  
• If the geyser is older than three years, get a plumber to check it out for you. If it floods while you are away, it will incur thousands of Rands of damage.
  
• Consider installing a timer if you cannot find someone to come in and switch your lights off in the mornings and on in the evenings. This will give people the impression of someone being home.
  
• Review the terms of your household insurance to make sure you are fully covered in the event of a burglary or an accident that may cause damage.
  
• Contact your post office to arrange for your mail to be held while you are on holiday.
  
• Practise common sense while on holiday. Do not carry large sums of cash on you; safely secure valuables such as cameras and laptop computers when you're not using them; don't be cavalier with money and jewellery and be sensible when using ATMs in unfamiliar places. It is also a good idea to find out where the closest police station is when you check into your holiday accommodation.