Captain Gerhard Elmes, Corporate Communication Official of Secunda, recently informed The Bulletin of an influx in house robberies in the area. The following are some safety tips from SAPS to keep you and your family safe.
Safety Awareness at Home
Fences/Walls
A high fence around the house with lockable gates is much safer than a high wall due to the advantage of the improved visibility it provides.
The primary aim of the fence is to make access/intrusion difficult and to allow dogs to move freely around the house.
Ensure that your gates are locked at all times and that the keys cannot be reached easily and are not lying around uncontrolled.
Security gates with sturdy locks in front of each outer door, as well as burglar proofing covering all windows, are recommended.
The following devices prevent easy access:
Window bars
Security doors
Security gates
Razor wire
Additional locking devices on doors
Strengthening of doors
Peepholes in the doors
Safety chains to doors
Intercom system between the home and gate, front door or garage
Alarm Systems
An alarm system, preferably connected to an armed response company, can act as an effective deterrent.
In the rural environment a siren/alarm on the roof that can be heard over a long distance and that can be activated by means of a switch/panic button in the house, is recommended.
A few switches/panic buttons in different rooms of the house should preferably be installed.
An alarm must also have the capability to warn the occupants of any intrusion into the house.
Examples of alarm systems:
Mechanical and/or electrical (purchased types)
Improvised systems
Threaded tins
Threaded pieces of iron
Gravel on window pains, pathways or around the home
Obstacles that can make a noise when moved
Biological Systems:
Dogs
Geese
Ostriches
Security Lights
Security lights on the outside of the house improve the physical protection of a house, farm or smallholding.
The lights must be directed away from the house and must allow the occupants to use the windows without being observed from outside.
Be aware of possible shadows and blind spots.
Safety Precautions
Ensure that all doors are locked at all times and that windows are closed when you are not at home.
Large dogs serve as a deterrent. At least one dog should be trained to sleep inside the house.
If you leave your residence, inform your family/ neighbours of your intended destination, time you expect to return and the route you will be driving, especially if you reside in a rural area.
Ensure that tools such as axes, spades, picks, ladders, etc that can be used in an attack, are locked away when you do not use them.
Vary your daily routine.
Get into the habit of not immediately falling asleep after switching off the lights.
Remain awake for a while.
You should not be visible in the bedroom from the outside when you are asleep.
Always keep a torch nearby at night and when you use it, ensure that you do not give away your position.
If you are unsure about the security status of your home after returning from work/a visit, eg your dogs do not come to the gate, do not enter your home.
Contact your neighbour to assist you in securing your home.
Identify relatively safe places of refuge, ie: bathroom, toilet or storeroom.
The fewer windows and doors these rooms have, the better.
Involve employees as they are part of the family/team.
Employees must be involved in maintaining security on an equal footing.
Report suspicious behaviour and information to the South African Police Service.
Clear the areas around the gates of bushes and other hiding places.
Take photographs of all employees.
It could be to your advantage to identify them, if required.
Remunerate your employees when useful information is provided that contribute to the prevention of crime.
Do not employ casual workers without a reference.
Keep copies of all your employees: Identity Documents (ID’s).
Ensure that you have a good relationship with your neighbours so that you will be in a good position to support and help each other.
Access and Key Control
Do not allow strangers on your premises or in your house without having properly identifying the person, especially at night.
Implement proper key control measures.
Identify keys by means of codes instead of indicating in writing on labels to which gate/door access can be gained.
Keys to the safe must be kept on the person.
Never hide any keys in traditional places, such as in pot plants or under doormats.
Keys in the keyhole on the inside of the front or back door should be turned to avoid easy removal.
Never allow strangers to handle keys or look at key numbers.
Change locks when keys are lost.
Insert barring devices indoor locks.
Remove keys from doors when leaving.
Communication
There should be two systems for alternative back up:
Telephone
Cellular phone
Have the telephone installed where it is easily accessible from anywhere in the house.
Inform your children not to give an indication that adult supervision is not available when they answer the phone.
Be crime conscious – be aware of crime opportunities at all times!
Never walk around alone and don’t talk to strangers. Be on the lookout for strange cars or people.
Walk-in well-lit busy streets and in a group, if possible.
Make sure your home is secure, and become a member of an armed response service. Be sure that you know all the emergency numbers or have them displayed in an accessible area.
Always let someone know where you are going and how long you will be gone. But think twice before advertising your impending absence on social media. Criminals also have access to Facebook and Twitter.
Know all emergency numbers.
Trust your instinct.
Avoid going onto a congested street where you cannot even walk properly, that is where you will find criminals pickpocketing.
Avoid displaying valuables where criminals can see them.
On the street
Avoid an ostentatious display of expensive jewellery, cameras, mobile phones and other valuables.
Keep your handbag with you, keep it closed or zipped, and do not leave it unattended.
Keep your mobile phone with you and do not leave it unattended.
Do not carry large sums of money with you.
Exchange your currency at a bank or at the hotel – never exchange it on the street.
Carry your wallet in an inside pocket – never in the rear pocket of your trousers.
Credit card transactions must be processed in your presence.
At night, stay away from dark, isolated areas.
It is always better to explore in groups and to stick to well-lit, busy streets.
Plan your route beforehand and, as far as possible, do not ask directions from strangers.
A police officer or traffic officer will be happy to direct you if you get lost.
In your vehicle
Plan your route in advance.
Keep the doors locked and wind the windows up at all times.
Do not leave your mobile phone or other valuables where they are visible from outside the vehicle.
Lock valuable items in the boot (trunk) before your departure.
At night, park in well-lit areas.
Never pick up strangers or hitchhikers.
If in doubt about the safety of an area, phone a police station for advice and help.
Make sure you have the number of the car rental company at hand in case you get stranded.
Source: https://www.saps.gov.za/alert/safety_tips_tourist.php
