Learners and students must look after their safety this winter
Always tell someone when you are leaving and what time you are expecting to be back.
As the evenings and mornings grow darker, Charnel Hattingh, national marketing and communications manager of Fidelity ADT, is urging learners and students to be vigilant when heading to and from school, colleges or universities.
“Many students leave home during the dark, early hours of the morning to catch taxis and buses to get to school or tertiary institutions.
“They also head home in the dark at the end of the day.
“Unfortunately, opportunistic criminals use the cover of darkness to prey on unsuspecting victims,” she said.
She urged students to always walk in groups.
If this is not possible try to keep to well-lit streets and areas.
“Also keep your valuables hidden or rather leave them at home.
“Don’t carry large amounts of cash if you can avoid it,” she said.
Always tell someone when you are leaving and what time you are expecting to be back.
Hattingh also suggested looking into possibly paying slightly more but getting a taxi service that will fetch you from your home during the winter months.
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“There are many private services on offer now where a driver will pick up several students from their homes and drop them at school.
“It may be a better option during the winter,” she said.
She added that there are also security apps that are available that can track the user in the event of an emergency.
“These apps, like Fidelity ADT FindU for example, are relatively inexpensive and mean that if you find yourself in a situation or begin to feel scared while walking you can trigger the alert and a security person will be dispatched to find you.
It’s worth looking into,” she said.
Most importantly, said Hattingh, is being alert and aware of what is happening around you.
“Put your earphones and cellphones away.
“Look at what is around you.
“Take note of people and places so anything out of the ordinary will be obvious.
“Let’s all be security conscious during these darker winter months,” she said.
