Enjoy your Christmas holidays safely in your home
The December holidays is a time to rest and recharge after a busy year. One of South Africa’s largest armed response companies says it is important not to neglect personal safety during this period, especially as it is also a busy time of year for opportunistic criminals.
“We all deserve the time to relax with our friends and families. If we remember a few basic safety measures, we can make a big difference towards enjoying this time of year in safety,” says Charnel Hattingh, National Marketing and Communications Manager at Fidelity ADT.
Additional security tips for holiday makers to make sure their residential property is protected and safe include:
• Inform your neighbours and Neighbourhood Watch of your holiday plans so that they can keep an eye on your property.
• If hiring a house-sitter, ensure that you teach him/ her how to use your alarm correctly.
• If you don’t have a house-sitter, ask a neighbour or a friend to turn on lights occasionally so that there is a sense that someone is
around. If this is not possible, consider putting your outside lights on a timer.
• Double check that you have locked and secured all windows and doors before leaving home.
• Turn off your geyser and any unnecessary electrical appliances so you can save on electricity and be environmentally friendly.
“We also recommend that people be careful and discreet about packing for a long journey and to not give any indication that your home might be unattended for an extended period of time,” adds Hattingh.
What should parents do if they aren’t able to get time off work, and their children are potentially alone at home during the holidays?
She offers these pointers:
• Keep doors locked and don’t let anybody in through the gate without checking with their parents.
• Show them where the list of emergency contacts is – including the 10111 number as well as a nearby neighbour – and explain when and how to use it.
Malls and restaurants
· If they are heading to malls or restaurants, they need to look after their belongings and to look out for each other.
· They also need to be clear on the transport arrangements and never go anywhere with a stranger. Tell them to find a security guard in the mall if they are scared or unsure of what to do.
· If you get separated from your parents or guardians in the shops or mall, go to the nearest sales person or uniformed security officer and ask for help.
· Always walk or play with at least one other person.
· Always walk along streets you know.
· Never take shortcuts through bushes or empty areas.
In conclusion, Hattingh says the key thing to remember is to make sure everyone is prepared and that they know exactly what to do in a case of an emergency.
