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www.thevillagenews.co.za
19 August 2020
Women’s Month – Empowering women to keep them safe F
She explains that many opportunistic criminals will be on the look-out for what they perceive to be ‘soft targets’, especially now during the pandemic. “This means that being aware of your surroundings and potential threats is perhaps one of the most valuable lines of defence.” Hattingh says the following tips can make a positive difference to keeping safe:
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Of utmost importance is to trust your instincts. Women have great intuition and should listen to their instincts. If someone or something makes you feel uneasy, avoid the individual and leave the area. Make contact with your private security service provider and ask them if they offer a mobile panic alarm service, which could be downloaded to your mobile phone. Tell someone where you are going and the time you expect to return. Save the details of the person to be contacted in the event of an emergency to your mobile phone or memorise it. Be aware of people around you when heading to your vehicle, especially at places such as shopping centres and petrol stations. Ensure that you take a moment to check the street before pulling into a driveway, be it your own or a friend’s. If you are driving, the first thing to do once you are inside your vehicle is to ensure that all the doors are locked. Never drive with a handbag or any other valuable items on a
She further recommends:
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inding ways of empowering our country’s women and keeping them safe is an important consideration for Women’s Month, says armed response company Fidelity ADT. “We can do this by following basic safety tips and making sure we share these tips with our loved ones,” says Charnel Hattingh, National Communications and Marketing Manager at Fidelity ADT.
seat or in view of anyone looking into your vehicle from the outside. Try to make your car a mobile-free zone so you can concentrate on your surroundings and keep you and your family safe. “Talk to your loved ones about these tips. By sharing them and by working with the brave men and women of our law enforcement and security partners, we can make a difference and make the world safer for our women,” Hattingh says. Fidelity ADT has also issued a call on the public to use caution and vigilance when travelling to and from busy shopping centres, following a number of incidents in recent days in Gauteng and Somerset West. Hattingh says there seems to be a definite increase in the number of car hijackings. “The majority of incidents are taking place during the day and much of it appears to be opportunistic,” she says. Vehicle tracking company Tracker was also quoted by media last week, warning of an increase in car hijackings, while the latest crime statistics released by the SAPS at the end of July
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shows that cases of carjacking have seen the biggest increase year-on-year. According to Hattingh, the majority of carjacking cases happen when shoppers are followed home from a mall or shopping centre and hijacked in their driveways. “Criminals are aware shoppers have a car full of newly-purchased items and are generally easy, distracted targets. Awareness is your most effective defence. Keep an eye out for any suspicious vehicles that may be following you and, if in doubt, drive to your nearest police station or security provider guard house.” Remember the general hijacking safety tips such as waiting in the road for the gate to open before driving in, adds Hattingh, and make sure the gate is closed properly behind your vehicle before getting out. When it comes to staying safe in malls, she encourages shoppers to carry as little as possible in handbags or pockets and rather leave unnecessary bank or store cards and large amounts of cash at home. Drawing money at an ATM also needs to be done with care.
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Avoid shopping after dark and rather do it when there are other shoppers around. Leave expensive items such as jewellery at home. Another risk is remote jamming. Always park your car in a well-lit, properly secured parking area, ideally with security personnel on duty. When you leave your car, make sure the doors are properly locked. Never just assume that your remote had in fact locked your doors. The extra few seconds it takes to make sure the car is properly locked and secured are worth it. If you need to draw money at an ATM, use a machine in a busy, public area. Be aware of anyone standing nearby and never accept help from strangers when entering your PIN. Put your money in your purse or wallet before you walk away from the ATM. If you think someone has followed you from the machine, walk into the nearest shop or up to a mall security guard.
“Criminals depend on their targets being distracted. It is when people aren’t paying attention that they become easy targets for would-be thieves. The best option is therefore to be on the lookout for anyone following you or someone loitering at your car in the parking area. Trust your instincts and call for help if you feel unsafe or unsure,” says Hattingh. The Department of Social Development has set up a helpline service for victims of gender-based violence. Contact them on 0800 428 428 or visit their website for other contact options http://gbv.org.za/contact-us/
- Issued on behalf of Fidelity ADT by HWB Communications Pty Ltd.
