Safety of children at home in the spotlight
Report anything suspicious to the SAPS or your security provider immediately.
A recent attempted home invasion in Germiston has again highlighted the importance of safety awareness for teens and children at home alone.
During an attempt to invade a home on September 15 at 15:15 in Primrose, two suspects tried to gain access to the premises by jumping over the perimeter wall.
Keith Alberts, the East Rand branch manager at Fidelity ADT, said the children were in the house and saw the suspects, pressed the panic button and phoned their father, who immediately drove to the house.
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“The suspects fled the scene when realising they had been spotted. Response officers arrived on scene and obtained a description of the suspects,” said Alberts.
“They drove around the area and found two suspects matching the description. They were spotted in a park on Sixth Avenue. The suspects, who possessed a firearm, were apprehended and handed over to SAPS.”
Parents are urged to empower their children and caregivers with all the information necessary to respond to any crisis or act of crime.
“I commend the children for acting quickly and pressing the panic button to get help,” said Alberts.
He offered these safety tips for children:
• Keep doors locked and do not let anybody in through the gate without checking with their parents.
• If there is an alarm system, teach them how to activate and de-activate it and how and when to use panic buttons.
• Show them where the list of emergency contacts is, including 10111, and explain when and how to use it.
• Activate your alarm whenever you leave your home and when you go to bed.
• Activate your alarm even if you are at home.
• Close windows and check all doors are locked when you leave your home.
• Secure your perimeter at all times.
• Activate outdoor detection.
• Lock all garden, leisure and other equipment away when not in use.
• Never allow strangers onto your property, no matter what they say their business is. Ensure your domestic staff know this rule.
• Always carry a remote panic button when you are at home and equip your domestic staff with panic buttons.
• Report anything suspicious to the SAPS or your security provider immediately.
“Quite simply, the same rules that apply to adults need to be instilled in children and young adults. If someone cannot be found, it is vital to report this to the authorities immediately,” said Alberts.
Contact the newsroom by emailing:
Marietta Lombard (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, or (Journalists) Busi Vilakazi busiv@caxton.co.za
