• Do not go out to check your electricity meter box if your electricity suddenly goes off.

• Do not rush outside to check why your taps are open or water is running in your garden – the taps couldn’t have opened by themselves.

• Don’t rush out when someone “calls for help” or arrives on your doorstep “wounded”- call the appropriate emergency units like the police, ambulance, security reaction unit, etc.

ALSO READ: Tips from the Forderville Community Police Forum: Be vigilant, stay safe

• Don’t even trustingly open the door to the “police” … contact your local police station and confirm all details first.

• Don’t rush out when your vehicle alarm goes off – there must be a (potentially dangerous) reason for it to have gone off.

SEE THIS: CPF sub-forum imparts safety tips

• Don’t rush out when your dogs start barking incessantly and furiously – there must be a good (dangerous) reason.

• Don’t go out to investigate why a baby is crying on your doorstep or at your main gate – that “Sister Theresa feeling” may cost you your life.

Don’t go outside when puppies are left on your doorstep. Rather call your security reaction unit, or the Estcourt Animal Shelter (060 988 9495) to come out. This seems to be the latest modus operandi. Criminals leave puppies outside your house and wait for you to come and investigate. DO NOT fall for this trick.

• Don’t fall for “sales gimmicks” or “offers to do repairs” or “surveys” or “looking for a job”. These are some of the most common tactics used by criminals.

• ALWAYS trust your “sixth sense”, that “inner voice” warning you, “that feeling” – it is seldom wrong.

ALSO READ: Forderville CPF needs your support

Click to receive news links via WhatsApp. Or for the latest news, visit our webpage or follow us on Facebook and Twitter