10 Tips to keep your family safe during a hijacking

The thought of being involved in a hijacking while your children are in the car is any parent’s worst nightmare. Sadly, hijackings are a reality in South African, with hijacking rates known to increase during this time of the year. While the reality of such a situation is frightening, it may be a good idea to role-play the situation with your family and talk them through how to respond and remain calm (if your children are old enough).

The following tips can help you keep your family safe during a hijacking:

1. Try to prepare yourself mentally and physically for a hijack situation by roleplaying a scenario with your family. You can make a game of it to make it less traumatic for your children.
2. Always Be aware of what’s happening around you. Statistically, you are most likely to be hijacked between 4 pm and 8 pm on a Friday, and most hijackings occur in the victim’s driveway.
3. It’s important to realise that there’s often nothing you can do other than to cooperate.
4. Ensure you let the hijackers know what you’re doing at all times, and don’t make any sudden movements.
5. As difficult as it may sound, try, and remain calm, as the hijacker will respond according to your reactions.
6. When you’re inside your car with the doors locked, you are still in a safe zone. Position your child’s car seat on the passenger side in the back of the car so that you can reach back, undo your child’s safety belt and bring them out with you when you get out of the car.
7. Acknowledge the hijacker’s presence. Don’t make eye contact. Keep your hands visible.
8. If possible, avoid getting out of the car first and then opening the back door to get your child.
9. If, for whatever reason, this is unavoidable and you are forced to get out of the car while your child is still strapped into a baby seat, take the car keys with you as a ‘bargaining tool’.
10. If your children are old enough, take the child lock off, and show them how to undo their safety belts, get out of the car and move to safety.

  (Above information provided by Cartrack)