Safety tips shared with Honeydew’s domestic staff to help combat crime

The Honeydew Community Policing Forum (CPF), in collaboration with Honeydew police, hosted a domestic staff safety training session on Wednesday, March 11, at Tourmaline Park.

The training brought together domestic workers from various households across the area. Facilitators from the Honeydew Security Cluster provided guidance on identifying suspicious activities, responding to emergencies, and understanding the importance of reporting incidents promptly.

According to Honeydew CPF public relations officer Michael Steyn, domestic workers are often the first people at home during the day and play a critical role in safeguarding properties and neighbourhoods. The workshop focused on practical tips such as verifying the identity of visitors, handling deliveries safely, and avoiding common scams that criminals use to gain access to homes.

Workers were also encouraged to communicate effectively with homeowners and neighbours, and to make use of local safety networks when necessary. Steyn highlighted the importance of building strong relationships between domestic staff, residents, and local security structures.

“This initiative aimed at empowering household workers with practical knowledge to help improve safety and security within the community,” said Steyn.

The session included demonstrations and interactive discussions, allowing attendees to share experiences and ask questions about situations they may encounter while working in private homes.

The Honeydew CPF said the initiative forms part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen community awareness and co-operation in the fight against crime. By equipping domestic workers with safety knowledge, the CPF hopes to create a more alert and responsive neighbourhood.

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One of the local security service providers, SB Security, provided domestic staff safety tips that would help them to combat crime:

• Always have your panic button nearby
• Report any suspicious movement in and around your households
• Don’t open the gate for everyone; confirm first with the owner
• Don’t be a hero; your life matters

Domestic staff welcomed the initiative, noting that empowering domestic staff contributes significantly to overall household and community safety. They were advised to create a local domestic workers WhatsApp group chat where they can notify fellow workers of suspicious behaviour around them.

The forum indicated that similar training sessions will be organised in the future to reach more domestic workers and continue building a safer Honeydew community.