Holiday homes are meant to be places of rest, family time and recharging, not sources of stress. But the reality is sobering: between October and December 2023, South Africa recorded around 40,751 home burglaries.
That’s an average of 453 home burglaries a day.
Holiday homes in popular getaway towns like Hermanus, Langebaan, Umhlanga and Hillcrest are often left standing empty for much of the year, making them easy targets. Here’s what you need to consider when securing your holiday home against burglars.
Smart ways to outsmart burglars
Know your weak spots
In Hermanus, recent police reports highlighted a rise in break-ins where burglars simply forced open aluminium sliding doors. So before you lock up and leave, give your property a once-over. Are windows and doors secure? Does your alarm system have a working backup battery (vital during load shedding)? Regularly inspect all entry points to prevent major loss later.
Layer your defences
Think of your home’s security like an onion — the more layers, the harder it is to crack. Electric fencing, sturdy gates, burglar bars, Windogrippers and motion-sensor lights all add extra hurdles for would-be intruders. In coastal spots where power outages are common, Windogripper has proven to be a practical, affordable option, closing a commonly exploited security gap – unsecured glass window panes and doors.
Make it look lived-in
Burglars look for signs that no one’s home. A case in Hillcrest’s Gillitts Park illustrates this: a rash of burglaries dropped sharply once neighbours organised a watch, rotated visible activity at empty homes, and maintained driveways with parked cars. So use timer switches for lights, ask a neighbour to open and close curtains, move bins and keep your post box clear. A parked car in the driveway also helps. Additionally, in 2023, SAPS confirmed that syndicates were monitoring social media for absence clues – don’t post your holiday countdown or beach photos on public social media… It’s an open invitation.
Secure what matters most
Take valuables with you or store them out of sight in less obvious places. Check your household insurance cover before leaving, and make sure security conditions like armed alarms are met so claims aren’t denied later.
Regional watch-points
- Hermanus & Onrus: Empty homes outside whale-watching season are highly visible. Visible security signage and good exterior lighting help deter break-ins.
- Langebaan & Myburgh Park: Houses overlooking the lagoon are prime targets, but after community patrols increased, reported burglaries dropped. Collaboration in communities matters.
- Hillcrest & Gillitts (Upper Highway, KZN): These leafy inland areas may feel safe but have seen spikes in burglaries before. Neighbourhood watches here have made a big difference – in fact, watch groups cut burglaries by half after a 2019 spike.
- Umhlanga & La Lucia: Perceived as “safer”, but complacency is a burglar’s best friend, leading to opportunistic break-ins. Always double-check alarms and battery backups before leaving.
Quick holiday-home security checklist:
| Step | Why it Matters |
| Run a risk assessment | Plug any security gaps while you’ll notice them |
| Layer your security | Don’t rely on just one type of security measure. |
| Stay visible, or at least look occupied | Burglars prefer empty homes; lights, cars, curtains, mail matter |
| Invest in community vigilance | Neighbourhood awareness remains one of the most effective deterrents |
| Check your insurance cover regularly | Underinsured contents mean paying the shortfall yourself |
| Keep travel off public feeds | Avoid signalling absence. |
Owning a holiday home in South Africa is a privilege, whether it’s a beach house in Langebaan or a quiet inland escape in KZN. With a few smart precautions, you can keep your haven secure while you focus on what matters most: making memories, catching waves, or soaking up the bushveld sunsets.
Don’t let the threat of South African holiday home burglaries ruin your haven. Prepare and protect.