The following safety tips will help you avoid dangerous situations. Please remember that you personal safety should be your top priority at all times.
- Know all emergency numbers by heart and keep a copy of emergency numbers next to the phone.
- If in doubt about the safety of an area, phone a police station for advice.
- Be aware of your surroundings and the people around you.
- Try not to walk around remote places at night.
- Locate points of help like of police and fire stations, public telephones, hospitals and restaurants, or stores that are open late.
- Trust your instincts. If something or someone makes you uneasy, avoid the person or leave.
- Inform people of your whereabouts.
- Limit your trips at night or at least take someone along with you.
- Watch out if people start milling around you. This could be a sign you are about to be robbed.
- If a stranger wants to use your phone and you want to help, leave him/her outside and phone on his/her behalf.
- Always appear calm and confident, and know where you are going.
- Don’t resist, especially if the perpetrator has a weapon, give up your purse or valuables, with no questions asked and move away.
- Before you go to bed, preset the police station’s telephone number on your telephone, all you have to do in an emergency is to push re-dial.
- Do not wear extravagant jewellery in public.
- Avoid carrying a large amount of money.
- Carry a purse or bag close to your body, not dangling by the straps. Our personal safety tip would be to put a wallet in an inside coat or front trouser pocket not a back pocket.
- Always carry your handbag in such a way that it will not be easy for someone to snatch it.
- Avoid suspicious schemes.
- Security lights are an important aspect in the prevention of theft and assault on both interior and exterior parts of a building, carports, stairs, alleys and patio’s.
- Keep your firearms in a good quality safe.
- Never leave your firearm unattended in a vehicle.
- Avoid using laundry facilities in an apartment complex by yourself, especially at night time, team up with a neighbour or friend.
- Don’t wear shoes or clothing that restrict your movements.
- When leaving your house for long periods, don’t mention it on your answering machine.