While the holiday season brings a welcome surge in tourism to the Hazyview area, it also calls for heightened vigilance.

The Hazyview security cluster, local police and various private security partners confirmed they are fully operational and ready to manage increased traffic and other risks associated with the holidays.

With many local homeowners going away and visitors flocking to the area, proactive safety measures are essential for everyone. Leaving your home vacant during the holidays makes it a target.

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Follow these critical steps to ensure your property remains secure while you are away:

• Use timers or smart plugs to switch lights on inside the house at dusk and off late at night. A light left on 24/7 is a clear sign that the house is empty.
• Ask a friend or service provider to occasionally mow the lawn or water plants to maintain a ‘lived-in’ appearance.
• Before leaving, ensure all windows, sliding doors and security gates are firmly locked and secured. At sliding doors, place a strong wooden or metal dowel rod in the track to prevent it from being forced open.
• Ensure the alarm system, electric fence and perimeter beams are functional. Inform your armed response company of the dates you would be away and who the emergency contact is. Store jewellery, important documents and small electronics in a safe or a well-hidden location.
• Avoid social media – do not share your travel plans or holiday photos on social media until you have returned home. Thieves often monitor these platforms for empty houses.

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Festive shopping can be overwhelming, especially in busy malls.

Keeping children safe requires preparation and vigilance:

• Dress your children in bright, easy-to-spot colours or matching shirts so they are easier to locate in a crowd.
• Take a photo of your child’s outfit before you leave home. If they get lost, you have an image of what they are wearing.
• For younger children, write your cellphone number on their arm or give them a small card to carry.
• When inside the mall, establish a clear meeting point where you will wait if separated.
• Teach children to seek help only from uniformed security guards, police officers or store employees with name tags if they get lost. Urge them never to leave the mall with a stranger.
• Insist on children holding a parent’s hand or handle of a shopping trolley in crowded areas. Do not let them walk ahead around corners or through busy doorways and make sure they do not lag behind.

The Hazyview security cluster calls on both residents and visitors to partner with them this season.

Vigilance and co-operation are the strongest deterrents against crime. By taking these simple, practical steps, you can ensure a festive season that is both enjoyable and safe.