Whether you are enjoying a concert at your favourite theatre, screaming for your team at the local rugby stadium, or even just going to the casino to shake hands with Lady Luck, it is important to remember your safety when you are out and about in any big public space.
“It is not just members of the public who need to remember the basics. You as venue owner or concert organiser also have a big part to play,” says Charnel Hattingh, group head of communications and marketing at the Fidelity Services Group.
Public spaces, she says, carry a range of safety challenges that we need to be aware of and prepared for.
“It is in these public spaces where opportunistic criminals might be looking out for soft, easy targets. This includes parking garages, parks, shopping centres, and other places where large groups of people provide easy cover for would-be criminals,” says Hattingh.
In public spaces, she recommends:
• Leave expensive items such as jewels at home;
• If you have a daily walking schedule to and from the mall, vary it often so that your movement does not become predictable;
• Err on the side of caution. If someone stops you to ask for assistance, keep a safe distance away from them and keep an eye on other movement around you;
• Avoid drawing money from an ATM late at night, and if it is urgent rather consider going to an ATM in a well-lit space where a security officer is on duty;
• Leave the headphones at home. Anything that causes distraction is to be avoided;
• There is safety in numbers. Take a friend with you, so that you can look out for each other.
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“No one likes to think about crime and about what it can do to you or a loved one. Sadly, it has become a reality of life that we must be prepared for, and a subject we must address with our loved ones and our children.
“The best gift we can give is to make sure that the people we care about, know how to possibly avoid crime in public spaces,” says Hattingh.
As a venue owner or as an event organiser, you too need to be vigilant.
“Make sure the CCTV is working and remain vigilant for any suspicious activity. We recommend at least two staff members must carry hidden panic buttons at all times.
“If you have a large number of people coming to your venue we strongly recommend appointing a reputable and registered company to private you with guards that can help protect your venue and your visitors.”
Hattingh says guards or a guarding service can also help protect guests if you have a large party at your home, with lots of people coming and going all day.
“No matter how few guests are arriving, never leave the gate open until everyone is inside. Open and close the gate as necessary. If you have a gate intercom system, always first check who is actually at the gate before you open it,” says Hattingh.
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She also recommends:
• It is preferable to let guests park their cars inside your property behind a closed gate. If they have no option other than parking in the street, hire a security guard to watch the cars.
• Open and lock the front security gate only as guests arrive. Never leave the key in the gate.
• Once everyone has arrived, activate garden beams and/or electric fencing. Both are valuable early-warning systems that will alert you to strangers on the property. For maximum protection, garden beams and electric fencing should be linked to an armed response service.
• Keep your dogs close to where you are hosting your party. In other words, do not lock them away in another area of the property where they could easily fall prey to dog poisoners.
• Ensure good lighting outside at night and that sensor lights are working properly.
• Make a point of randomly checking doors and security gates are locked and that nobody has used the door and forgotten to lock it again.
• Activate your alarm in areas of the house you are not using.
• Keep remote panic buttons close on hand while entertaining outside.
“If you have any questions about the safety of your guests or your visitors, call your armed response company today and ask for their expert guidance,” says Hattingh.
