Network for those living alone

The Ballito Neighbourhood Watch met at the Striders running club last week to discuss security and residential issues in Ballito.
Guest speaker Quentin Power from the Specialised Rescue Unit, gave members some safety tips. He also spoke about the importance of ensuring those who live alone in the community are kept safe.
“We had an incident recently where a woman living by herself had fallen down the stairs and broken her hip. She lay there for two days before somebody realised what had happened,” he said.
Power said it is not only elderly people who are at risk, but that anyone living alone could get into trouble.
He suggested establishing a network of residents who would call or stop by to check up on those who live alone.
He highlighted the importance of having houses visible to patrol cars who may struggle to find the right house.
A few members indicated that they had painted their house numbers on their driveways for easy visibility.
Power also made a note to think about where you put your valuables.
“I can almost guarantee that most of you get home and take out your keys, wallets, cellphones and dump them on the closest table. If I am the guy breaking into your house, that is the first place I am going to go. Put them in a safe place,” he said. “We had a good turn out and our guest speaker raised some points that were very helpful,” said Neighbourhood Watch chairman Rob Hardstone.
The Ballito Neighbourhood Watch meets at Striders running club on the third Tuesday of every month and all are welcome to attend.