Safety tips :
PERSONAL SAFETY TIPS:
Be crime conscious - be aware of crime opportunities at all times!
- Never walk around alone and don’t talk to strangers. Be on the lookout for strange cars or people.
- Walk in well-lit busy streets and in a group, if possible.
- Make sure your home is secure, and become a member of an armed response service. Be sure that you know all the emergency numbers or have them displayed in an accessible area.
- Always let someone know where you are going and how long you will be gone. But think twice before advertising your impending absence on social media. Criminals also have access to Facebook and Twitter.
- Know all emergency numbers.
- Trust your instinct.
- Avoid going onto a congested street where you cannot even walk properly, that is where you will find criminals pick pocketing.
- Avoid displaying valuables where criminals can see them.
Safety Awareness at Home:
Fences/Walls
A high fence around the house with lockable gates, is much safer than a high wall due to the advantage of the improved visibility it provides.
The primary aim of the fence is to make access/intrusion difficult and to allow dogs to move freely around the house.
Ensure that your gates are locked at all times and that the keys cannot be reached easily and are not lying around uncontrolled.
Security gates with sturdy locks in front of each outer door as well as burglar proofing covering all windows, are recommended.
The following devices prevent easy access:
Alarm Systems
An alarm system, preferably connected to an armed response company, can act as an effective deterrent.
In the rural environment a siren/alarm on the roof 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.
A few switches/panic buttons in different rooms of the house should preferably be installed.
An alarm must also have the capability to warn the occupants of any intrusion into the house.
Examples of alarm systems:
Security lights on the outside of the house improve the physical protection of a house, farm or smallholding.
The lights must be directed away from the house and must allow the occupants to use the windows without being observed from outside.
Be aware of possible shadows and blind spots.
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, especially if you reside in a rural area.
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 the 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 about the security status of your home after returning from work/a visit, eg your dogs do not come to the gate, do not enter your home.
Contact your neighbour to assist you in securing your home.
Identify relatively safe places of refuge, ie: bathroom, toilet or storeroom.
The fewer windows and doors these rooms have, the better.
Involve employees as they are part of the family/team.
Employees must be involved in maintaining security on an equal footing.
Report suspicious behaviour and information to the South African Police Service.
Clear the 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 - Identity Documents (ID's).
Ensure that you have a good relationship with your neighbours so that you will be in a good position to support and help each other.
Access and Key Control
Do not allow strangers on your premises or in your house without having properly identifying the person, especially at night.
Implement proper key control measures.
Identify keys by means of codes instead of indicating in writing on labels to which gate/door access can be gained.
Keys to the safe must be kept on the person.
Never hide any keys in traditional places, such as in pot plants or under doormats.
Keys in the keyhole on the inside of the front or back door should 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.
Communication
There should be two systems for alternative back up:
Inform your children not to give an indication that adult supervision is not available when they answer the phone.
LUPIN SECURITY :0713647808
SAPS CRIME STOP : 08600 10111
SAPS EMERGENCY LINE : 10111
Fences/Walls
A high fence around the house with lockable gates, is much safer than a high wall due to the advantage of the improved visibility it provides.
The primary aim of the fence is to make access/intrusion difficult and to allow dogs to move freely around the house.
Ensure that your gates are locked at all times and that the keys cannot be reached easily and are not lying around uncontrolled.
Security gates with sturdy locks in front of each outer door as well as burglar proofing covering all windows, are recommended.
The following devices prevent easy access:
- Window bars
- Security doors
- Security gates
- Razor wire
- Additional locking devices on doors
- Strengthening of doors
- Peepholes in the doors
- Safety chains to doors
- Intercom system between the home and gate, front door or garage
Alarm Systems
An alarm system, preferably connected to an armed response company, can act as an effective deterrent.
In the rural environment a siren/alarm on the roof 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.
A few switches/panic buttons in different rooms of the house should preferably be installed.
An alarm must also have the capability to warn the occupants of any intrusion into the house.
Examples of alarm systems:
- Mechanical and/or electrical (purchased types)
- Improvised systems
- Threaded tins
- Threaded pieces of iron
- Gravel on window pains, pathways or around the home
- Obstacles that can make a noise when moved
- Biological Systems:
- Dogs
- Geese
- Ostriches
Security lights on the outside of the house improve the physical protection of a house, farm or smallholding.
The lights must be directed away from the house and must allow the occupants to use the windows without being observed from outside.
Be aware of possible shadows and blind spots.
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, especially if you reside in a rural area.
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 the 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 about the security status of your home after returning from work/a visit, eg your dogs do not come to the gate, do not enter your home.
Contact your neighbour to assist you in securing your home.
Identify relatively safe places of refuge, ie: bathroom, toilet or storeroom.
The fewer windows and doors these rooms have, the better.
Involve employees as they are part of the family/team.
Employees must be involved in maintaining security on an equal footing.
Report suspicious behaviour and information to the South African Police Service.
Clear the 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 - Identity Documents (ID's).
Ensure that you have a good relationship with your neighbours so that you will be in a good position to support and help each other.
Access and Key Control
Do not allow strangers on your premises or in your house without having properly identifying the person, especially at night.
Implement proper key control measures.
Identify keys by means of codes instead of indicating in writing on labels to which gate/door access can be gained.
Keys to the safe must be kept on the person.
Never hide any keys in traditional places, such as in pot plants or under doormats.
Keys in the keyhole on the inside of the front or back door should 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.
Communication
There should be two systems for alternative back up:
- Telephone
- Cellular phone
Inform your children not to give an indication that adult supervision is not available when they answer the phone.
LUPIN SECURITY :0713647808
SAPS CRIME STOP : 08600 10111
SAPS EMERGENCY LINE : 10111
Safety Tips Safety Awareness in a Vehicle
The followings aspects might trigger aggressive behaviour:
- Ensure that your vehicle is in a good condition when you plan to go on a journey.
- Ensure that the fuel tank of your vehicle always has sufficient fuel.
- Always lock your vehicles doors and keep the windows closed.
- Do not leave your vehicle unlocked, even if you think you will be away for only a minute.
- Avoid to stop at remote places.
- Park your vehicle in places that are well lit.
- If a stranger wants to talk to you while in your vehicle, do not open the window wide -only 5 cm is enough to have a discussion.
- If something seems suspicious, do not talk to strangers, rather be rude and drive away.
- Limit your trips at night or at least take someone along with you.
- Vary the route you travel to work and back, if this is possible.
- If approached by a stranger while in your car, drive off if possible or press your hooter to attract attention.
- If strangers loiter near or at your driveway, rather drive past. If they loiter for a long time, report it to your nearest police station.
- Car jackers may stage a minor accident so they can approach your car.
- If your car is bumped from behind and you do not feel comfortable with the individual(s) involved in the situation, drive to the nearest police station for help.
- Do not reach for your purse or valuables. Leave everything behind if forced from the car.
- Your life is more valuable than your possessions.
- Do not resist, especially if the thief has a weapon.
- Give up your vehicle with no questions asked and move away.
- A lift club limits the risk of becoming a victim of crime.
- Do not give strangers a lift.
- A gear lock is an affordable and a very effective anti-theft device.
- If possible, put up a mirror against the front wall of your garage to see if someone is following you into the garage.
- Do not open your garage doors before your gates are closed.
- Avoid parking your motor vehicle where there are no security officers guarding other cars.
- Do not leave your firearm in the motor vehicles glove compartment (cubbyhole) or anywhere in the vehicle when you park the vehicle (this is against the law!).
- Make sure that all the doors and windows are properly locked when you park your car.
- Valuable items like a laptop and camera should be put in the boot of your car.
- Be aware of people coming to you and informing you that you have a flat tire, the intention can be to steal items that they see inside the car or rob your car.
- Always close your windows when driving in the city centre.
- Do not open your windows for hawkers along the road and at the robots.
- Keep the doors locked and windows closed at all times.
- Do not use a cellular phone unless you have a hands-free kit.
- Lock your valuables in the cars boot before departure.
- At night, park in well-lit areas.
- If in doubt about the safety of an area, phone a police station for advice.
- Practice the same prevention skills you apply in parking lots or garages at home.
- Become familiar with your route before you start the trip.
- Get a map of the route and study it.
- Store luggage in the cars boot where it is out of sight.
- Do not leave your goods/valuable items visible in the car.
- Do not leave your handbag/briefcase visible in the car.
- Do not leave your keys in the ignition.
- Always lock the doors and close the windows when getting out of the car.
- Remove detachable radios and the radio=s face when getting out of the car.
- Try to fit an alarm and/or anti-theft device in your car.
- Have your keys ready in your hand as you approach your car, especially if they are difficult to find in your handbag.
- Parking lots with a parking attendant or supervision/ someone patrolling are best, otherwise try to park in locations that are well lit and/or well populated and not crowded by bushes or buildings where offenders might hide.
The followings aspects might trigger aggressive behaviour:
- Following too close to the vehicle in front.
- Passing vehicles on the left.
- Cutting in and out of traffic and failing to signal while engaging in multiple lane changes.
- Crossing safety markings while merging onto ramps.
- Failing to yield at ramps and intersections.
- Violating railroad crossings.
- Displaying or using a weapon.
- Displaying aggressive or obscene gestures.
- Slow moving traffic in fast lanes, etc
- Do not react to provocation.
- Stay away from erratic drivers.
- Avoid eye contact with an aggressive driver.
- Use your hooter sparingly.
- Do not flash your headlights.
- Do not make obscene gestures.
- Do not change lanes without using your indicator.
- Do not drive too close to the vehicle in front of you.
- Do not block lanes
Safety Awareness during hostage situations and hijackings
Know what to Expect as a Victim
Know what to Expect as a Victim
- People who are taken hostage or hijacked, tend to experience feelings of anxiety, shock, disbelief and confusion.
- This first reaction usually leads to resistance, or retaliation which could have fatal consequences.
- Prepare to be alone and isolated from your family, friends or loved one, and to lose track of time and place.
- They could be tense, anxious and nervous.
- They could display a tendency to overreact.
- Do everything the perpetrators tell you to do
- Try at all times to maintain your pride, dignity and self-respect
- Keep your brain active by playing games in your mind(mind games), daydreaming and reading whatever you are offered
- To maintain your physical strength you should eat the food provided by your captor(s)
- Try to maintain a sense of humour, but do not ridicule the aggressors
- Try to remain orientated regarding your movements, directions, time and place
- Try to maintain a routine and remain fit, if circumstances permit
- Allow yourself to be led by your captor(s)
- Try to remain cool and calm
- Fall flat and remain down during the relieving attack
- at any time become panic stricken or hysterical
- offer any form of resistance
- become abusive and aggressive or lose your temper
- threaten or provoke the captor(s)
- try to be a hero
- engage in an argument with the captor(s)
- engage in any whispered conversations with the perpetrators
- use foreign concepts of language, as this could arouse the captor’s suspicions
- make any demands
- be sympathetic towards your captor’s cause
- try to escape, as this could place you at risk
Keep your cash safe
ATM SAFETY
ATM SAFETY
- Always cover your pin by shielding the hand that is typing it – even if you are alone at an ATM
- Never accept help or ask anyone to assist you at the ATM – rather go inside the bank for help
- Register for 3D secure, otherwise known as verified by Visa or Mastercard SecureCode before making online purchases with your bank card
- Be cautious of notifications that you have won any competitions, especially if you did not enter – do not respond with any personal information
- Carry as little cash as possible
- Use alternative banking methods such as Internet Banking and Cellphone Banking