Festive season safety tips

1. Safety at home: Unsuspecting domestic workers, garden staff and children are often approached by robbers, pretending to be repairmen or inspectors. Persons who are at home during the day should be made aware of these scams, and the need for security should be emphasized for their own safety.

2. Do not leave security gates opened unnecessarily.

3. Children: Need to know their residential address and telephone numbers of their parents/guardians. Teach your children to stay close to parents and adults, especially at swimming pools, beaches or busy shopping centres. They should never wander off and should avoid lonely places or taking short-cuts through alleys or deserted areas. Scholars travelling to and from school on foot must avoid walking alone but rather walk in groups. It is essential to instil in a child the ability to say no. When they faced with uncomfortable situations. There should be no shame in saying No.

4. Do not leave valuables lying anywhere giving rise to opportunistic crime.

5. Cell phone theft: Conceal your phone when in public place and do not get tricked into lending your cell phone to anyone to make a call.

6. Shopping: carry your bag around your neck and diagonally across your body. Put your wallet in an inside coat or front trousers pocket and not the rear pocket.

7. Avoid Hijacking situations: Ensure the vehicle is always in running condition with good tyres(including spare wheel) and has enough fuel for your planned trip. Know your destination and directions to it, and be alert if you get lost. Always park your vehicle in a well attended parking lot, especially at night. Never pick up hitchhikers. Don’t leave valuables in your vehicle, visible to everyone rather place them in the boot.

8. Rape: No-one has the right to force you into sexual activity ( means no-one can force you to have sex or touch in a sexual way without your consent or approval or perform any sexual activity which you find unpleasant or humiliating) you have the right to say no.

9. Domestic Violence: Do not be scared to report any acts of violence or abuse that take place in your home. You can talk to a health worker at your clinic or a counsellor from the welfare department.

10. Safety at the ATM: Avoid isolated ATMs and the using of ATMs at night. Never give anyone your card or pin for any reason, not even a bank official security personnel or a police official. Never accept help from strangers when using a ATM. Ensure that your own card is returned after transaction.