Good personal safety habits must never be neglected, especially with continuing rounds of load shedding across the county. That was the response from armed response company Fidelity ADT, following research released on crime trends and load shedding this week.
Senior researcher at the Institute for Security Studies, Johan Burger, told the Cape Argus newspaper that load shedding at night influences criminals’ behaviour and increased the likelihood of them breaking into homes. (“Blackouts increase risk of crime”, Cape Argus, 5 February 2020.)
“Law enforcement and security agencies are on alert to keep residents safe, especially during these extended periods of power disruption. We need the cooperation of the public to make sure that we prevent crime as far as possible,” says Charnel Hattingh, National Marketing and Communications Manager at Fidelity ADT.
“We too often have to respond to incidents where someone might have installed a brand-new, top of the range home security system, but suffered a theft or break-in because they left one of the house’s windows standing open or forgot to close the garage door. The presence of sophisticated technology does not mean we can forget our own personal responsibility,” emphasised Hattingh.
She explained that one of the best ways to make the maximum impact is to be aware of your surroundings.
“Whether you are driving somewhere, walking in a mall, or going for a run – make sure you are paying attention, and that you avoid any unnecessary risks. Remove anything from the equation that could distract you, such as headphones or your cellphone.”
Hattingh says this level of awareness should also extend to your street and your suburb.
“If you see anything that seems to be out of the ordinary or to be amiss, it is best to immediately alert your security company, the local neighbourhood watch, or the police.”
She listed some safety habits to remember:
- Lock all doors and windows all the time. This applies to your house, your vehicle and any outbuildings on your property. This applies whether you are at home or not.
- Keep valuable items out of sight. Never leave keys, wallets, cellphones or any other small items on a table or anywhere close to a window.
- Cut back any trees or shrubs that provide cover for burglars, then make it a habit to keep them trimmed. This means around your house and around any outbuildings someone might be tempted to break into.
- Talk to your family and friends, and get to know your neighbours. Make sure your loved ones remember what they can do to stay safe, and make sure you share these tips with the people who live in your street.
- Get involved with community safety efforts. Find out if they need volunteers to do night-time patrols. Communities that stand together can make a positive difference to their safety.
