As South African matriculants do battle with their tough final exams, there is a huge sense of anticipation building for the holidays and parties that follow shortly afterwards, and several big parties and festivals are being planned across the country.
“Sadly, every year there are numerous incidents of matriculants dying as a result of road accidents, drinking, drug overdosing and more.
There are also many incidents of theft of valuable items and vandalism. We are appealing to matrics to party responsibly and never neglect their own personal safety,” said Agnieszka Gryn, General Manager: Inland Region Fidelity ADT Security.
Agnieszka offered the following easy safety tips for matrics who will be celebrating away from home, possibly in unfamiliar areas:
• Before leaving your accommodation for the day or night, ensure that anything valuable is locked away in a drawer or safe.
• Never carry large amounts of cash or go out wearing flashy or expensive jewellery.
• If your accommodation is a holiday house or apartment, make sure all the doors are locked, the windows are properly shut and that the alarm is activated if a system is installed.
• When out at different events and activities, be aware of your surroundings and arrange with your friends to keep an eye on each other and your belongings.
• If you are approached by a suspicious individual, walk away and report it to the closest security guard or police officer.
• Do not accept drinks from strangers and do not leave your drinks unattended. Spiking of drinks is still rife.
When it is time to return to your accommodation after a night out:
• Never leave without your friends.
• Do not accept lifts from strangers – rather use transport provided by the event organisers.
• Driving after a few drinks is never an option. Call a cab or use event shuttles if they are available instead.
• Consider appointing a designated driver or someone who agrees not to drink and will be responsible for getting everyone home safely.
“Parents, please speak to your matriculating children, and share these tips with them. The reality is that they will be partying. Let’s encourage them to do it as responsibly as possible. It may also be worth speaking to your security provider about personal safety apps that are available as well as services such as Meet and Greets to ensure peace of mind,” she concluded.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (please remember to include your contact details in the email) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
