The festive season is around the corner and, for a lot of people, celebration plans are already in motion.
As people gear up to spend time with families and friends, it is important to consider planning and safety measures for travelling or spending time indoors.
For most, December is a time to reflect and unwind while others use it as the perfect time to steal and scam. To ensure your and your family’s safety, it is important to be on high alert and well informed – ignorance is not always bliss as it could lead to an early conclusion to your holiday.
According to the spokesperson of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), Xolani Fihla, there are multiple ways of ensuring safety and preventing becoming a target or victim of crime.
Fihla provided the following safety tips:
- If you are travelling on an unfamiliar route, make sure to plan your route ahead of time
- Always be conscious and aware of your surroundings
- Places like shopping centres and malls will be crowded, so try your best to avoid going there with large sums of money
- Park your vehicle in a well-lit area during the night and make sure all doors are locked
- Be alert and never give lifts to strangers
- Familiarise yourself with emergency numbers and the local police station’s contact details
- Keep your valuables concealed and make sure that important items are locked up in a safe at home
- If you are going to travel for more than one day, ensure that some of your neighbours are informed.
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