10 steps to a safer and more secure 2025

Another year is (almost) in the bag. December is the time to relax, unwind, and recharge.

It is a time to reflect on another busy year and think about how you will live better in the new year.

“This is the perfect chance to think of how you go about your daily business. These New Year’s resolutions should include ways to live safer and more secure, “ says Charnel Hattingh, group head of communications and marketing at Fidelity ADT.

She recommends easy steps when drawing up your security New Year’s resolutions:

• Join a suburb WhatsApp group because it is an easy way to stay on top of trends in your suburb and street and to get help in an emergency. All the area’s security companies and members of the CPF are in these groups and can quickly react to suspicious activity or emergencies.

• Get to know your neighbours. Safer suburbs start with communication between residents. Your neighbours can look after your property if you are away or at work, and vice versa. They can also easily spot something out of place if they know your daily routines.

• Invest in more outdoor security systems. Good home security starts with a secure perimeter, which needs to be supported by proper security on the actual property (garden, entertainment areas, garden shed). Electric fencing, outdoor beams, CCTV, and sensor lights are proven deterrents.

• Be more vigilant. Talk to the family about leaving and arriving home, locking doors and security gates, being cautious of strangers at the gate and knowing what to do in an emergency. Everyone should know how to reach their security company and the police quickly by phone or using the alarm system and panic buttons.

• Have a security assessment done. Advice from a security expert can help you decide on security to suit your lifestyle and living spaces. Technology has evolved to complement modern homes and lifestyles while keeping criminals at bay and getting you the right help when you need it most. Options that might have been prohibitively expensive a few years ago are now affordable.

• Learn basic self-defence. Enrol in a self-defence class to build confidence and learn techniques that can help protect you in dangerous situations.

• Practice safe driving. Commit to avoiding distractions while driving, obeying speed limits, and never driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• Create an emergency plan. Develop and practice an emergency plan with your family, including evacuation routes and meeting points in case of a fire, natural disaster, or other emergencies. Ensure you have a well-stocked first aid kit at home, in your car, and at work. Learn basic first aid and CPR.

• Stay physically fit. Regular exercise can improve your overall health and make you more capable of handling physical challenges or emergencies.

• Limit sharing personal information online. Be mindful of the information you share on social media and other online platforms to protect your privacy and avoid identity theft.

“Start the year on a fresh new and safe slate. Look for ways of living safer and consider things that can keep your loved ones more secure. It is the New Year’s resolutions we should all think about,” says Hattingh.