The holiday season brings various opportunities for crime.
ADT Security has some life saving tips for women on how they can protect themselves every day.
Having emergency numbers is always important. They should be stored on your phone at least so people can know who to contact should anything go wrong.
General Manager of ADT Inland Region, Theunis Kotze said the key to safety is always to stumble on the side of caution.
“Tell someone where you are going and the time you expect to return. Save their number to your cell phone as one of your ICE (In Case of Emergency) contacts,” he said.
Kotze said women should remember to avoid carrying large sums of money and make sure they carry their handbag close to their body and zip it up.
“Don’t put your bag into a shopping trolley, criminals are opportunistic and will take advantage of an easy situation.”
Kotze said women should also be aware of distractions since it is one of the major issues adding to crimes against women.
Distractions range from caring for the children, carrying shopping, or speaking on a cell phone. Women should be aware of their surroundings and should also avoid talking over the phone.
Kotze pointed out that having your cell phone in hand and being ready to make a call in an emergency while walking alone is helpful. Having phone apps like ADT’s FindU are very useful in a situation and great for personal safety.
“Be aware of people around you when heading to your vehicle and ensure that you take a moment to check the street before pulling into any driveway,” he recommended.
Kotze said the first thing to do once a person inside a vehicle is to ensure that all the doors are locked.
“Never drive with a handbag or any other valuable items on a seat or in the view of anyone looking into your car from the outside. Try and make your car a mobile-free zone so you can concentrate on your surrounds and keeping you and your family safe. Most importantly trust your instincts. If someone or something makes you feel uneasy, avoid the individual and leave the area.”
Women should be careful of people that offer help, whether male or female.
Kotze had said this about using ATMs:
• Be vigilant at all times
• When using ATM’s shield your pin
• Place money inside purse immediately after withdrawal
• If you feel uncomfortable at an ATM cancel transaction and leave
• If you feel followed go to a safe location where there are people and contact the police
Kotze believes women can develop very good safety habits that will assist them in avoiding dangerous situations when exercising these precautions.
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