How to keep safe during the holidays

But while you may be eyeing the perfect gift or finalising plans for your December getaway, criminals are just as eager for the festive season to begin.

The holidays usually see a spike in crime, and Heidelberg SAPS has appealed to residents and business owners to be vigilant.

While police will intensify operations over this period, community members are requested to ensure their properties and belongings are properly protected against criminals.

Residents are also urged to keep safety top of mind when shopping as criminals can easily make off with your wallet, handbag or newly purchased goods in a crowded mall. Always be alert at the ATM or when withdrawing large sums of money, as bank followings are another crime that see an increase over the festive season.

The following tips will help keep you safe when using an ATM:

• Be alert and conscious of your surroundings.
• Never give your card or PIN to anyone, for any reason.
• Don’t write your PIN on the card or anything that is kept with the card.
• Do not insert your card until asked to do so by the display screen.
• Never use an ATM with a blank screen and, if the ATM is obscured from view or poorly lit, leave immediately and find another machine.
• Stand close to the ATM and use your body and hand as a shield to make sure nobody sees you keying in your PIN.
• Keep your hand over the card slot to make sure nobody can swap or take your card.
• Never accept help from strangers when using an ATM. You should be wary of strangers asking for help.
• Criminals work in teams – one to distract you while the other steals your card or money.
• If your card is retained (swallowed) by the ATM, it is advisable to phone your bank immediately and stop your card.
• Never allow a bystander to call the bank on your behalf, they could be tricking you into thinking your card has been stopped.
• Guards are placed at ATMs to discourage criminal activities and cannot help you with transactions.
• If you need help, ask a bank official.
• It is advisable to set a daily ATM withdrawal limit at your branch.
• If you suspect you are being followed from the bank, drive to the nearest police station.

As for business robberies, Brakpan SAPS urged owners to change their daily routines and to install CCTV cameras with high- definition video quality.

This will assist police in the event of a robbery. According to the SAPS, the culprits usually strike at closing and opening times.

To prevent home robberies and burglaries, residents can play an important part by taking simple, precautionary measures:

• Know all emergency numbers.
• Don’t leave your gates, garage, front or back door open or partially open.
• Never open the door automatically whenever the bell rings or if someone knocks.

Make sure the person wanting to enter is expected.

Domestic workers, garden staff and children are often approached by robbers who act as delivery men, repairmen, electricians, plumbers, TV licence or municipality inspectors and many other professions.

In an effort to gain entrance, robbers use a cellphone and make as if they are talking to the owner of the house so as to put pressure on unsuspecting victims to open the gate or door. Those remaining at home should be made aware of these scams.

Arrange with people who remain at home on how you will inform them if there is a need for them to open the house for deliveries, maintenance work or repairs.

Always use the same procedure and inform the companies involved that they will not gain access unless you have made a specific arrangement.

• A watchdog is a good early warning system. Keep it visible as a deterrent but beyond the reach of strangers.
The unexplainable death of a watchdog is a warning sign of a possible burglary.

• If your house alarm goes off, or you hear strange noises or your dogs bark, switch on the outside lights.
• Always check the identity of strangers who visit for business purposes to do deliveries or repairs.

Ensure you stay out of their reach to prevent being grabbed through a closed gate.

• When employing someone, request their identity document and make a copy thereof for safekeeping.
Check their previous employment references and do security clearances at the police.

• Install the best security you can afford, especially security gates on outside doors. Keep these gates locked. If possible, fix a door viewer and latch chain.

• When approaching your house entrance by foot or by car ensure that it is safe to enter and that you have not been followed. Be aware of persons loitering at the entrance.

Do not leave keys in a hidden place for domestic staff or children, robbers often stake out a house and will find out about these hiding places.

Do not give keys to people who do not live on the property or to anyone if it is not absolutely necessary.

• Know your neighbours and build a relationship of mutual trust and support. When going away inform them.

• It is always best to arrange with persons living in the same street as you to be ready at all times to come to the rescue of one another in dangerous or suspicious times.

Exchange phone numbers or signalling methods when you find yourself in distress. Your strength always lies in how many people are able to support you in an emergency.

• If you buy luxury goods, cut up the boxes and dispose of these in tied black bags — a branded box is a telltale sign of what robbers can find in your house.

• Keep cash and valuables in banks or safes.

• Store your firearms in a safe.

Suspicious-looking people, vehicles and activities must be reported to police immediately. For emergencies or to report a crime, call 10111 or the Heidelberg SAPS on 016 341 0343.