INFOGRAPHIC: Safety tips during the silly season
Consider these tips on how to stay safe when leaving your house, while you drive and in a hijacking instance.
The silly season is upon us. With the festive season about two months away, people are gearing up to go on holiday, plan their Christmas celebrations and contemplate how they’ll spend their bonuses.
Crime in South Africa usually takes a turn for the worse during this time due to many people not being at home, increased drunk driving and many road deaths.
If you’re planning a holiday please consider a few helpful tips on how to remain safe on the roads.
Security service provider Pro-Active South Africa has provided the following tips on safety before you leave the house:
1. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Do not let your cell phone be a distraction.
2. Always make sure your vehicle is safe on the inside, with no intruders lurking before getting in.
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3. If your child will be driving with you, let them sit behind the driver’s seat. This will ensure that in the event of an incident that the driver can remove or shield the child with their back towards the hijackers.
4. Ensure that both your number plates are on the vehicle and no papers are stuck to the rear or front windows of your vehicle. This is a trend used by hijackers to get drivers to stop while the vehicle is running to either retrieve the number plate or remove the papers.
5. Place all valuables in the car either under one of the seats or in the boot. This may save you from a potential smash and grab.
6. Always ensure that your windows are closed and doors locked when leaving the house.
7. Plan your route before departure to avoid unnecessary stops.
Consider these safety tips when driving:
1. Avoid talking on your cell phone at all costs.
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2. Be vigilant at all times and report any suspicious behaviour to the SAPS or the nearest security services provider.
3. If your window or tyre is damaged, continue driving to a well-lit area and seek assistance.
4. Never pull over for anyone who requires assistance next to the road, rather contact the SAPS to assist.
5. Change your routes to work and back regularly. This may discourage potential thugs from breaking into your home.
6. No vehicle is exempt from hijacking or theft. You may become a target any day.
7. Be vigilant all the time and always be sure to see if you’re being followed.
8. Always parallel park in front of your driveway before entering. This might give you the chance to drive away if you were followed.
Consider these tips in a hijacking:
1. Never resist the attacker or suspects.
2. Keep your hands visible at all times.
3. Be submissive and obey the attacker’s instructions.
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4. Do not resist once you have exited the vehicle.
5. If you have a child in the backseat, indicate that to the attacker immediately and shield the child with your body at all costs. Ask to remove the child from the vehicle.
6. Remain calm and try to identify any useful information about the attackers without staring at them, for example, their language, the number of voices, their clothes, their height and built and any markings or tattoos.
7. Create time and space between you and the attacker as quickly as possible.
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