Personal Safety Tips

• When you are leaving your home for extended periods of time, like when it is the holiday season, visit your local police station and inform your police members about your absence to make sure that it is still secure. Also ask your security services provider to monitor the house.
• Cancel daily deliveries of newspapers, bread and milk when you are away from home for extended periods of time. If nobody removes these deliveries, it piles up at the doorstep and thus criminals know that nobody is home.
• If possible, fit your home with an armed response alarm system with a panic button functionality. With the elderly community, personal panic buttons can be worn while being outside in the garden areas. House robbers are deterred by these devices.
• Do not allow a stranger into your home - even if he is delivering something or providing a service.
• Ask for an identity document or phone his/her office to check his/her identity.
• Invest in the best locks and security you can afford.
• Never tell anyone that you are alone at home - and make sure the children also know not to do so.
• Know your neighbours - and together plan ahead for how you will respond in a crisis.
• Know your local police station - and discuss safety matters with the police.
• Become involved with local crime prevention efforts with the community police forum. Attend all meetings.
• Try to have your home well lit and visible from all sides. Although, heartbreaking, you encouraged not to have plants and unnecessary structures obstructing visibility.
• Do not give sure hints to potential criminals by, for example, leaving exterior lights on during the day.
• Do not entice criminals by, for example, leaving tools and equipment lying in the yard whilst not in use.
• Register employees, and keep a copy of the Identity Documents of all people having access to your home.

• Do not park your vehicle in an isolated place, alley or near bushes. At night, park as closely as possible to street lights.
• Do not leave items visibly lying around in your car. Lock them in the boot.
• Make use of uniformed parking attendants who offer to safeguard your car for a small fee.
• Keep all doors locked when travelling.
• Keep windows closed at stop streets and traffic lights.
• Be particularly vigilant when approaching intersections late at night.
• Never pick up hitchhikers.
• Be suspicious of anyone who hails you or tries to get your attention when you are in or near your car.
• When driving and approaching stop streets and traffic lights, be wary of persons standing around at these intersections. Keep vehicle windows closed and doors locked. Hijackers can also pose to be traders in small articles at these intersections. Don't open your windows or doors to suspicious persons and be ready to drive the vehicle forward quickly if the suspects seem to be trying to reach for objects they are carrying beneath their clothing.
• If you are being robbed or hijacked, stay calm and don't make sudden hand or arm movements when the robbers are armed. Property can be replaced but not lives.
• If you are intimidated on the roads, do not retaliate. Road rage is becoming a very serious problem and many people have lost their lives. At the same time, be a courteous driver. Keep left. Let others who are in a hurry pass you - it’s not worth risking your life to prove a point.

• Take extreme care when using the auto-teller (ATM) bank machines. If you are unsure of withdrawal procedures seek assistance within the bank.
• Hide your ATM pin number.
• Avoid carrying large sums of cash.
• Do not draw large sums of money or count your money in front of strangers.
• Do not get involved in conversations with anyone at ATM’s - a request for assistance is often a prelude for being robbed.
• If possessions are lost or stolen, report the loss immediately to the local police.
• Also report loss or theft of traveller’s cheques to the nearest agent of the issuing company; credit cards to the issuing company; airline tickets to the airline or travel agent; passport to your nearest embassy, consulate and the police.
• After withdrawing money, always be alert to being followed when you are in a car and even when walking.
• Beware of schemes in which a caller attempts to win your confidence and persuades you to assist in a potentially lucrative business venture.

• Taxis and buses: Only take taxis clearly identified with official markings. Beware of unmarked and un-roadworthy taxis. Negotiate fares in advance or at least be sure of the rate-per-kilometre.
• Trains: Systematic robbery of passengers on trains along popular routes is a problem. If your way is blocked by a stranger and another person is very close behind you, move away.

• Always walk in well-lit areas with other people. Do not walk alone in isolated places or near taxi ranks at night.
• Avoid deserted alleys.
• Use your discretion regarding strangers who request information.
• Try not to expose valuables such as money, credit cards, cameras or valuable shopping purchases.
• Your cash, credit cards and valuables are most secure when locked in your safe. When you have to carry them on your person, you may wish to conceal them in several places rather than putting them all in one wallet or pouch.
• Hold your bag under your arm.
• Avoid scam artists and beware of strangers who approach you and offer bargains or to be your guide.
• After visiting night clubs, taverns and shebeens, ladies must never walk alone. Avoid dark alleys, streets and open spaces and parks late at night. Rapists regularly target ladies who are under the influence of alcohol.

• Never swim alone on a deserted beach.
• Do not leave your belongings unsupervised.
• Tell your children that if they get lost, they should go to the nearest lifeguard or police officer.

• Always watch your food and drink. You don’t want your meal to be spiked, do you?
• Do not allow anyone to touch you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable - be firm and clear and say NO!
• Do not leave a party or social event with someone you do not know or have just met - say NO!
• Ask friends for help if someone ignores you when you say NO!

• Keep your hotel door locked at all times.
• Meet visitors in the foyer (lobby).
• Do not leave money and other valuables in your hotel room while you are out. Use the hotel safe.
• Let someone know when you are expected to return if you are out late at night. In fact, it’s always advisable to always let someone know all your plans, every single day.
• When alone, do not get into an elevator if you feel uncomfortable about others in, or, about to enter it.
• If you hear a noise during the night, don’t investigate on your own. Call reception.

If you are attacked

• Try not to panic.
• Common sense is your best defence.
• You cannot always defend yourself and your resistance may cause serious injury.
• If the attacker is dangerous, cooperate but try to talk your way out of the crisis.  From a legal point of view, submission is not consent.
• Try and remember what the attacker looks like - his age, race, height, hair colour, scars, tattoos, clothes, voice, jewellery. (Try not to stare at the attacker as this might cause aggression).
• Scream, yell, get the attention of someone or run away if you possibly can.
• Do not bath or change your clothes after an attack - keep all the evidence so that it can be used by the police for further investigation.
• Report the crime to the Police Service straight away: go to the police station or phone 10111.
• Immediately after making a police report, proceed to a Trauma Unit of a hospital for medical assistance and collection of evidence.

• Try not to panic.
• Common sense is your best defence.
• Don't make sudden hand or arm movements. You don’t know whether the robbers are armed with fire arms or knives or not.
• Do exactly what the robber/s ask of you – if you are required to lie down, do so without provoking aggression.
• Try and remember what the robber/s looks like - age, race, height, hair colour, scars, tattoos, clothes, voice, jewellery. (Try not to stare at the robber/s as this might cause aggression).
• Let the robber/s take the valuables they ask for. Property can be replaced but not lives.
• Don’t run away unless it is safe to do so.
• Once you are safe, report the crime to the Police Service straight away: go to the police station or phone 10111.

• Try not to panic.
• Common sense is your best defence.
• Don't make sudden hand or arm movements. You don’t know whether the robbers are armed with fire arms or knives or not.
• Do exactly what the hijacker/s ask of you without provoking aggression.
• Try and remember what the hijacker/s looks like - age, race, height, hair colour, scars, tattoos, clothes, voice, jewellery. (Try not to stare at the hijacker/s as this might cause aggression)
• Let the robber/s take the valuables if they ask for it. Property can be replaced but not lives.
• As soon as the vehicle stops and you are let out of the vehicle, don’t run unless it is safe to do so.
• Once you are safe, report the crime to the Police Service straight away: go to the police station or phone 10111.