Safety tips for the festive season

With the festive season just around the corner, it is important for residents to pay attention to their surroundings and avoid becoming a victim of crime.

There are a number of ways a resident can prevent becoming a victim.

•  Be crime conscious – be aware of potential crime opportunities at all times.r 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 instincts.
•  Avoid going onto a congested street where you cannot walk properly. This is where you will find pick-pockets operating.
•  Avoid displaying valuables where criminals can see them.
•  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 or 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, which can be used in an attack, are locked away when you do not use them.
•  Be alert and conscious of your surroundings when using the ATM.
•  Never give your card or PIN number to anyone, for any reason.
•  Don’t write your PIN number on the card, or where the card is kept.
•  Do not insert your card until asked to do so by the display screen.
•  Never use an ATM with a blank screen and, if the ATM is obscured from view or poorly lit, leave immediately and find another ATM.
•  Stand close to the ATM and use your body and hand as a shield to make sure nobody sees you keying in your pin.
•  Also, make sure you keep your hand over the card slot to make sure nobody can swap or take your card.
•  Never accept help from strangers when using an ATM. You should be wary of strangers asking for help.
•  If you need help, ask a bank official.