Safety Tips And Awareness

1. Make friends with neighbours

Familiarizing yourself with neighbours can be a win-win situation. Offer yourself as a resource in case of emergencies or help needed on their end; some neighbours might reciprocate the offer. See if they’re comfortable sharing their needs.

Are there small children you should look out for? Do you live next to an older couple that stays home but sometimes needs help? Does your neighbour have indoor pets, and should you call if you ever see the pets outside?

Planning get-togethers based on physical activity is a great way to get to know neighbours. Arrange to go on walks or to have your children play together outside. Ensure all kids are a safe distance away from traffic, and teach them safe rules for playing outside together

2. Organize neighbourhood safety efforts

Consider giving a Neighbourhood Watch group a go.

Developing a neighbourhood calling tree could help when things go amiss in the neighbourhood, whether it’s a property crime or something more sinister like violent crime.

You could also encourage neighbours to disclose safety/burglary incidents on a neighbourhood WhatsApp group so others know what to look out for.

Think critically about what neighbourhood incidents should involve police versus when you can turn to other public safety resources.

3. Keep up your yard

A well-kept yard can help deter crime since trimmed foliage offers fewer places to hide. And fences can, of course, keep unwanted visitors out.

4. Install a security system

Overall, one of the surest options for crime prevention in your neighbourhood is to get a home security system and use it properly.

5. Exercise caution when out of town

To choose targets, burglars rely most on easily scannable visual cues. Details like building type and signs of vacancy fall under this umbrella. We can’t overstate the importance of making it look like you’re home when you are away.

Consider swapping offers with neighbours to keep an eye on each other’s homes when out of town. Even small efforts can deter crime.

Favours might include mowing your lawn or picking up your mail and newspapers. You could even have a neighbour park a car in your driveway occasionally while you’re gone. Make sure to return the favour if payment isn’t involved.

Use timers or smart switches to turn on your lights, or find a smart security system that will allow you to turn lamps off and on remotely.

6. Close windows and blinds at night

A big-screen TV is a less enticing steal if no one knows it’s there. Leaving your blinds open and lights on at night provides a free look into your house, its layout, and the habits of its occupants. And leaving windows open at night or when you’re gone is an invitation for an uninvited guest to come on in.

7. Improve lighting on your street

Burglars often prefer to target neighbourhoods with lower residential density. So if your neighbourhood has few houses and lots of space, take special care to ensure that space is well lit. Streetlamps are not the only way to do this.

Ask that each household turn on their porch lights in the evenings and install motion-detector lights in the backs or sides of the house so potential intruders don’t have the darkness to hide in.

Burglars also prefer homes with multiple entry points or detached properties, so ensure that all doorways and pathways are well lit.

8. If you see something, say something

It’s not just for airports—being diligent in your neighbourhood and speaking up when you see something out of place helps everyone on the block. Working together can make a big difference.

No matter how small or insignificant, report the incident to the neighbourhood watch and SAPS. All incidents SHOULD be logged with a case number with SAPS.

9. At home Safety

Use a door viewer before opening your door. Always demand identification from strangers (even repair or sales persons).
Always lock up your home before leaving and don’t hide your house keys outdoors anywhere.
Have keys ready and in your hand for immediate use when you return home.
Use interior and exterior lighting at all times.
Always use Safe Internet Shopping
Shred credit card offers and bank statements before you throw them away if you do not plan on using them.
Hide or destroy boxes from expensive purchases.
Do not answer personal questions about your home such as type of alarm, daytime occupancy, etc.
Do not let people inside your home (to use the bathroom, phone, etc.).
Avoid mail theft by obtaining a locked mailbox and dropping off outgoing mail at the local post office.
Do not give out your personal information or credit card number over the phone unless you initiated the call.
Do not leave old food out on / by your garbage bin.

10. Walking

Plan your route ahead of time. Never walk alone at night; walk with a friend or your dog.
Use well-lit streets, not dark alleys or bushy areas.
Carry signalling devices like shriek alarms or a whistle.
Carry defensive devices such as pepper spray.
Be alert to what’s all around you! Look behind you occasionally.

11. Purse / Wallet Theft

If possible, don’t carry a purse. Never carry anything you can’t afford to lose in it.
Carry your purse across the front of your body, with your forearm across the front of the purse and your elbow held tightly against your side.
Carry your keys, wallet or other valuables in pockets in your clothes and not in your hand.
Carry minimum amounts of cash and credit cards. Keep a record of all of your card numbers.

12. Driving

Always look inside your vehicle before getting in.
Lock all doors immediately after you are in the vehicle.
Never pick up hitchhikers.
If a stranger approaches while you are in a vehicle, keep the windows up, doors locked and engine running.
Honk your horn if you need to attract attention.
Park in well-lit areas at night.
Always lock your car when leaving it.
Consider installing an auto burglar alarm system.
Don’t leave anything valuable in your car if at all possible.