Keep your domestic staff safe
Domestic Watch meetings have proved to be successful.
The recent stabbing of a domestic worker in Nooitgedacht has once again highlighted the importance of empowering your domestic staf in the event of a home invasion.
In the incident, the suspects gained access to the farm property at about 8am.
When the domestic worker went out the back door to hang up the laundry, she was approached by three male suspects wearing balaclavas.
The worker screamed and was stabbed by one of the suspects, who left her lying in the driveway. The domestic worker managed to get up and flee the scene, running to a nearby petrol station to call for help.
ADT Security said the necessity and reality of the two-income household means that domestic staff, be it that they work inside the house or in the garden, are often all alone on the property for most of the day.
“On the one hand, this offers homeowners a level of security for their homes but, on the other, it leaves domestic workers exposed and at risk in their place of work,” said Mr Theunis Kotze, the general manager for the ADT Inland Region.
“I cannot stress enough how vital it is to train your domestic staff about home security and crime prevention,” he said.
The security suburb initiative named ‘Domestic Watch’ offers an ideal platform for this kind of training. Domestic Watch offers interactive meetings for garden staff and domestic workers about crime prevention.
“In our training sessions we focus on two aspects of safety; how to prevent a crime and how to pass on information without putting your life in jeopardy,” said Mr Kotze.
Mr Kotze said lack of information is one of the biggest obstacles for the SAPS and the neighbourhood’s domestic workers.
As the eyes and ears of the suburb, domestic workers need to know how to pass on information.
He said another factor that is often forgotten is whether your domestic staff will be able to contact you or call for help from emergency services.
“Your domestic staff should know how to give directions to your home in the event of an emergency,” said Mr Kotze.
He said employers can help by ensuring that their domestic staff have airtime for emergencies, as well as a portable panic button linked to a security provider.
“Another way for homeowners to play a role in the safety of their staff is to teach them how to arm and disarm the alarm system,” said Mr Kotze.
“Domestic staff should ideally have their own code, password and panic button. Have a list of emergency contact numbers, including your mobile number – stuck on or near the phone. These numbers should be saved to the cellular phone memory as well. Discuss any safety concerns or security issues you are aware of with your domestic staff,” he said.
“The Domestic Watch meetings have proved to be successful and we have seen many examples of domestic workers implementing what they have learnt and reacting correctly in an emergency or reporting suspicious activity to the SAPS or their security company. We encourage residents to support this important suburb initiative,” said Mr Kotze.
