SAFE LIVING

A sense of personal safety and security is important to all of us, consider the following in regards to your own safety and security of your property.

PERSONAL SAFETY

Out and about

  • Be alert, walk confidently and keep to well-lit and populated areas.
  • Walk against the flow of traffic and if possible, walk with another person and carry a personal safety alarm or mobile phone.
  • Let someone know where you are going and the time you will return.
  • If you feel unsafe, head for a well-populated area.
  • Be wary if someone in a car stops and asks you for directions. Keep a safe distance from the car.
  • Be aware of your increased vulnerability when wearing personal headphones.

ATM banking

  • Do not use ATMs in isolated or dark locations and avoid withdrawing large amounts of money.
  • Memorise your Personal Identification Number (PIN). Do not write it down and do not let anyone see you enter your PIN.
  • If you feel unsafe at an ATM and you have already keyed in your details, press the CANCEL key and remove your card.
  • If you lose your card, report it immediately to your financial institution.

Celebrations

  • Organise safe transport to and from the venue before going out.
  • Stay with your friends and look after each other.
  • Set a drinking limit for yourself, stick to it and have soft drink or water between alcoholic drinks.
  • Say “No” when you have had enough to drink, don’t let others top up your drink.

Personal property

  • Don’t carry large amounts of money and never display how much money you have in your wallet or purse.
  • Keep your bag, wallet and mobile phone where you can see them at all times and don’t leave them unattended. When shopping use the child safety harness to help secure your handbag to the trolley.
  • Carry your bag securely on the side furthest from the road. Never let the strap hang loosely.
  • Shoulder strapped bags should be worn across your body. If someone attempts to grab your bag, it is best to let go, to avoid injury.
  • Secure your bag in your car before loading or unloading your shopping.

HOME SECURITY

To reduce the opportunity for thieves to gain entry into your home, consider the following crime prevention security tips:

  • Ensure appropriate keyed locks are fitted to all doors and windows.
  • Even when you are outside, be sure to lock all doors and windows.
  • Lock gates, garages and sheds when not in use.
  • House keys, car keys and garage remote controls should be kept in a safe location.  Thieves may use them to gain entry to your home or to steal your car.
  • Install and activate an alarm system.
  • Keep trees and bushes in front of doors and windows trimmed to avoid being used as hiding places.
  • Lock all garden tools and ladders away securely so they cannot be used to break into your home.
  • Don’t leave valuables in obvious places. Thieves often target jewellery in jewellery boxes on bedroom dressers and other valuables in bedside drawers and cupboards.
  • Break down packaging of expensive items and place it in your bin. Don’t leave it next to your bin on the street.
  • Lock your meter box to prevent thieves interfering with your power supply (contact your local electricity provider for more information).

SAFETY TIP – SECURITY LIGHTS

Security Lights on the outside of the house improve the physical protection of a house.  The lights must be directed away from the house and must allow the occupants to use the windows without being observed from outside. You should have a clear view of your property without exiting your dwelling to investigate any noises.  Be aware of possible shadows and blind spots.

SAFETY TIP – ALARM SYSTEMS

An alarm system, preferably connected to an armed response company, can act as an effective deterrent.  A siren/alarm that can be heard over a long distance and that can be activated by means of a switch/panic button in the house, is recommended. Whilst some alarm companies provide an access code to trigger the panic alarm, this might not always be affected as you might not always be within reach of your alarm’s key pad.  A few switches/panic buttons in different rooms of the house should preferably be installed.   An alarm must have the capability to warn the occupants of any intrusion into the house.

SAFETY TIP – ACCESS AND KEY CONTROL

Do not allow strangers on your premises or in your house without having properly identified the person, especially at night.  Implement proper key control measures. Identify keys by means of codes instead of indicating in writing on lables to which gate/door access can be gained.  Keys to the safe must be kept on the person at all times.  Never hide any keys in traditional places, such as in pot plants or under doormats.  Keys in the keyholes on the inside of the front or back door must be turned to avoid easy removal.  Never allow strangers to handle keys or look at key numbers.  Change locks when keys are lost. Insert barring devices in door locks.  Remove keys from doors when leaving.

SAFETY TIP – COMMUNICATION

There should always be at least one charged cell phone or one active land line available in your home.  Ensure the telephone/cell phone is where it is easily accessible from anywhere in the house.  Inform your children not to give an indication that adult supervision is not available when they answer the phone.  Always ensure that the neighbourhood watch emergency number and SAPS emergency line is pre-programmed as a speed dial number into all cell phones in the home

VEHICLE SECURITY

To help prevent thieves targeting your vehicle and property, consider implementing these security tips:

  • Lock your vehicle doors and close all windows.
  • Install an alarm or immobiliser and activate it every time you leave your vehicle.
  • At night park your vehicle in a well-lit area.
  • Park off the road and if possible in a locked garage.
  • Use secure car parking facilities where available.
  • Remove all valuables from your vehicle. If you can’t, then conceal them in the boot before arriving at your destination.
  • Avoid leaving your property in the glove box or centre console – this is the first place thieves look.
  • Mark or engrave your property with your driver’s licence number.
  • Record the make, model and serial number of electronic equipment, such as GPS devices, laptops and mobile phones.
  • Remove registration papers from your vehicle to prevent thieves identifying your home and easily disposing of your vehicle.
  • Do not place hand bags, wallets or other valuable items on the passenger seat where they could be easily grabbed.
  • Remove your keys from the ignition even if you are gone for a short time.
  • At home, don’t leave your keys on the kitchen bench or where they can be easily seen by thieves.  Keep them in a safe place out of view.
  • Mark key tags with your phone number. Never include your name and address.
  • Do not hide a spare set of keys on or in your vehicle.
  • Secure your number plates with specialized one-way Plate Safe screws.  The screws lock in place to prevent number plates from being removed and make it extremely difficult for offenders to remove your number plates.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND DRIVING

Public transport

  • Become familiar with your regular transport timetable and check it to limit waiting time.
  • Stand in well-lit areas near other people and sit with other passengers or close to the driver.
  • Always keep a firm hold on your personal belongings.
  • If you are travelling alone at night arrange to be met or collected at your stop.
  • If the behaviour of someone is offensive or illegal, tell the driver and contact the police.
  • Where possible, book a taxi over the phone as the driver’s details will be recorded and take note of the driver’s ID number that should be displayed on the front dash.  Sit in the rear seat of the taxi.
  • Be conscious of your surroundings. If you are concerned with the route being taken to your destination or if something doesn’t feel right, ring a friend and tell them where you are and the taxi number.
  • If you feel uncomfortable or in fear for your safety direct the driver to stop, leave the vehicle and seek assistance.
  • Decline offers to share a fare with a stranger.

Driving

  • At night, park your car in a well-lit area and keep your car windows up and doors locked.
  • Have your keys or remote entry ready before approaching your car.
  • If you are concerned about your safety when returning to your car, ask a person you trust to walk with you.
  • Avoid placing bags and wallets on the passenger seat where they could be easily grabbed.
  • Do not respond to aggressive behaviour from other drivers. Avoid eye contact and concentrate on the road and never pick up hitchhikers.
  • If you think you are being followed, drive to a police station or a populated area. Don’t drive to your home address.
  • Make sure you have enough fuel to reach your destination and your car is serviced regularly to avoid breakdowns.
  • If your are should break down in an isolated area, activate the hazard lights, sit inside the car with the windows rolled up, the doors locked and call for assistance.  Never got with strangers and stay with your car.

SAFETY TIP – SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

  • Ensure that all doors are locked at all times, and that windows are closed when you are not at home.
  • Large dogs serve as a deterrent. At least one dog should be trained to sleep inside the house. If you leave your residence, inform your family/neighbours of your intended destination, time you expect to return and the route you will be driving.
  • Ensure that tools such as axes, spades, picks, ladders, etc. that can be used in an attack, are locked away when you do not use them.
  • Vary your daily routine.  Get into the habit of not immediately falling asleep after switching off the lights.  Remain awake for a while.  You should not be visible in the bedroom from outside when you are asleep.  Always keep a torch nearby at night and when you use it, ensure that you do not give away your position.
  • If you are unsure of the security status of your home after returning from work/a visit, e.g. your dogs do not come to the gate, do not enter your home. Contact your neighbourhood watch or security company to assist you in securing your home.
  • Identify relative safe places of refuge, i.e. bathroom, toilet or storeroom. The fewer windows and doors these rooms have, the better.
  • Involve employees as they are part of the team.  Employees must be involved in maintaining security on an equal footing. Report suspicious behaviour to SAPS. Clear areas around the gates of bushes and other hiding places.  Take photographs of all employees.  It could be to your advantage to identify them, if required.  Remunerate your employees when useful information is provided that contribute to the prevention of crime.  Do not employ casual workers without a reference. Keep copies of all your employees IDs.
  • Ensure you have a good relationship with your neighbours so that you will be in a good position to support and help each other.

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