Keep safe this festive season

It’s party time. The coming months will be full of all sorts of fun events in the lead-up to, and during the festive season.
And there is reason to watch out – these days the police’s annual statistics can’t be separated into monthly figures, but using national police monthly crime statistics from April 2006 to March 2011 the Institute for Security Studies’, Lizette Lancaster found crime spiked at the end of the year.
While the biggest spike was in murder and assault (50 per cent), house robberies increased over the lead-up to December, starting in October and dropping off sharply in January. Burglary increased by 8 per cent over the festive season.
Crowds are perfect pocket picking grounds, and you might not even notice you are missing your wallet or phone until much later. Take as little as possible with you to a crowded event.
Consider a personal safety device. “Yale security’s personal attack alarm can be an excellent way of getting attention and support from nearby people when in trouble. Keeping it on you at all times (on your keychain) and simply pulling the cord to emit the alarm can get attention in difficult situations, possibly even scaring a burglar or attacker away,” said Lise Kimmings who is a security expert.

Another option is ADT Security’s smartphone application, ADT FindU, which turns your cellphone into a personal safety and monitoring system that will enable you to get help whenever and wherever it is needed. “To start the tracking process is as simple as turning on the application that refreshes and updates your location every 15 seconds,” said ADT general manager: Inland region, Theuns Kotze. “Tapping, shaking or swiping your thumb across your handset screen sends an alert to the ADT FindU Monitoring Centre that will contact you and dispatch the appropriate emergency services team to assist.”
Pepper spray is also an option, but more complicated to use.
It’s no fun going to a large event alone, which is good because it’s best from a security angle to have at least one other person with you. At a large venue, familiarise yourself with the layout, especially emergency exits. If emergency procedures are announced, listen.
Have a meet-up point in case your group gets separated, and if things do go wrong watch out for alternative routes out. Social media can be a boon, check it out before you even get there to see what’s happening and if there are any bottlenecks. It could save you time and irritation.
Festive season fun is fabulous, and best served without hitches. Have a good time.

Also read: Crime hotspots in Gauteng

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