The quick thinking of a young boy in Primrose Hill recently led to the apprehension and arrest of an armed suspect.
The son of a homeowner in the suburb spotted an intruder in the yard.
The armed intruder had accessed the property over the perimeter wall and the palisade fencing at the back of the house.
The child immediately pressed his panic button for assistance.
A Fidelity ADT reaction officer arrived on the scene and found the suspect hiding inside a storeroom on the property.
He was apprehended and handed over to the Primrose SAPS.
Natasha Springfield, community development manager for Fidelity ADT, commended the young man for his quick reaction in alerting his security company.
“Children and domestic staff are often left at home during the afternoon and it is key that everyone in the household is aware of the correct protocols to follow in case of an emergency,” she said.
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Springfield gave the following guidelines:
• Teach children to keep entry and exit doors locked, and that nobody is to enter the property without your permission.
• If you have a home security system installed, teach them how to activate and de-activate it and how and when to use other security devices like panic buttons.
• Have a list of emergency contacts, including the 10111 number, near the telephone and explain to children when and how they must be used.
• Make sure the domestic worker has a way to contact help in the case of an emergency, be it on a landline or cellphone with sufficient airtime.
• Domestic staff should also carry a panic button with them at all times.
Springfield stressed the importance of discussing any safety concerns or security issues with your children and domestic staff.
“Talk about security matters and encourage your staff to talk to you about issues, whether they are in your home or in the neighbourhood.
“Open dialogue creates greater awareness,” she said.
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