Keep safe this festive season

With the increasing number of cases of violence against women and children, the KwaThema police have issued some safety tips to help keep them safe.

Police spokesperson Captain Thabo Sibuyi says it is important for women and children to remain alert at all times and to take note of what is happening around them.

Some tips women, children and parents can use include:

Women:

· Avoid walking alone in the dark or in quiet places, especially at night or in the early hours of the morning.

· Inform relatives, friends or a partner of where you are going, who you are going with and when you expect to be back.

· Before entering a taxi or any motor vehicle, check that there are now suspicious characters. Keep a record of the registration number and colour of the vehicle.

· Try and memorise the route the driver takes.

· Remember the face of the driver and people inside the motor vehicle.

· Have the numbers of your relatives or police on speed dial.

· Avoid sleeping in the vehicle.

· Do not agree to have sex with anyone in exchange for a job or alcohol.

· Don’t accept liquor from strangers.

· Don’t accept a lift from people you don’t know.

· When you can feel you are drunk, call someone you know and trust to take you home.

· Avoid being on your cellphone all the time, as it sometimes becomes a distraction.

· If someone is following you while you are driving, go to the nearest police station and report the matter.

Children:

· Create a safe route that your children can use when going home.

· Teach them to avoid quiet spots, dark areas, passages and parks.

· Always have full details of where you children are and who they are with.

· Encourage them to walk or play with other children instead of alone.

· They should also avoid being on their cellphone and using headsets or earphones, so they can observe what is happening around them at all times.

· Teach them not to talk to strangers, go anywhere with them or accept their gifts.

· Educate them on possible danger signs and what they can do when they feel at risk or in danger.

· Help them memorise important cellphone numbers, their home address and their parents’ full details.

· Always know what they are wearing.

Sibuyi says when someone goes missing, make sure to report it to the nearest police station as soon as possible, as there is no waiting period.

Also have as much information as possible and a recent photo of the missing person.