Safety tips which could save your life

Following an increase in residential robberies and burglaries, the Edenvale SAPS issued the following safety tips for residents:

•  Ensure doors are locked at all times and that windows are closed when you are not at home.
•  If you leave your residence, inform your family 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 and so on 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.
•  If you are unsure about the security status of your home after returning from work or an outing, for example if your dogs do not come to the gate, do not enter your home.
•  Identify relatively safe places of refuge in the event of an incident, such as the bathroom, toilet or storeroom.
•  All employees must be involved in maintaining security at your home, such as closing doors and windows, ensuring security gates are closed and locked and activating alarm systems.
•  Report suspicious behaviour to the SAPS or security providers immediately.
•  Clear the areas around gates of bushes and other hiding places.
•  Take photographs of all employees. It could be to your advantage to identify them, if required, and do not employ casual workers without a reference.
•  Keep copies of all your employees’ identity documents (ID).
•  Ensure you have a good relationship with your neighbours so that you will be in a good position to support and help each other.