‘Your reaction to an emergency can change the outcome’

Emergency situations arise quickly, and knowing how to react can determine how the event unfolds. It can even mean the difference between life and death, said security company Fidelity ADT.

Charnel Hattingh, National Marketing and Communications Manager at Fidelity ADT explained that while the types of emergencies they respond to at private residences are mostly the result of criminal activity, such as an armed home invasion or driveway hijacking, fires and medical crises are also common cause for alarm.

She added that business premises are just as vulnerable to dangerous scenarios as they are targeted often by armed criminals, and the risk of someone being injured on duty and needing emergency medical assistance is also high.

“Any of these situations are an emergency and will require some form of quick response. Although most people say they will do A, B and C in an emergency situation, few actually do react this way due to sheer panic and adrenalin taking over.”

It is a fact, she added, that many of their clients, despite being aware of all the benefits of having an armed response service provider connected to an alarm system, panic buttons and other security measures, try to manage a crisis on their own first before raising the alarm for help from trained reaction officers or paramedics.

“It may not always be possible or safe to press a panic button while an incident is unfolding, but you should do this as soon as possible afterwards so that the right help can be sent.

In the event of a fire, for example, it is critical to get help on site as soon as possible. Your priority should be to get the family to safety, not to try to put the flames out.”

So, how do you prepare yourself to stay calm and take the correct steps when it matters most?

Hattingh said it is about formulating an emergency plan and practising it regularly, with everyone in the house or business involved and informed.

She provided 10 practical steps to incorporate into an emergency plan:

1. Check that your alarm and panic buttons are working properly.

2. Know where mobile panic buttons are at all times.

3. Identify the quickest routes out of the house/ building in the event of a fire. Many windows have burglar bars and as a fire is unpredictable, you may need three or four escape route options.

4. Each family member should have a responsibility should you need to evacuate the house quickly. For example, pressing the panic button or opening the gate to allow emergency vehicles access. Less time will be wasted if everyone works together as opposed to one person trying to manage and remember everything.

5. Each family member should have a responsibility to check that the house is secured before everyone goes to bed – doors locked, windows closed, gate closed, garage locked, garden beams and alarm system armed.

6. Ensure at least two mobile phones are charged at all times and put emergency numbers on speed dial on every family member’s phone.

7. Keep the number of your security company visible near a landline.

8. As morbid as it may sound, it is important to discuss scenarios and how to react to them, like being hijacked in the driveway or held up in the garden.

9. Reinforce the importance of staying calm in an emergency and following your emergency plan as practised.

10. Practise your emergency routine regularly to ensure everyone keeps safety and security top of mind.

“It is not always easy, but it is vitally important that you react correctly in an emergency situation and think with a calm head. This includes alerting your security provider as soon as possible so that they can send the right help.

Don’t have regrets and wish you had done things differently. Put an emergency plan into place, practice it and stick to it when it matters most.”