HESSEQUA NEWS - South Africa will commemorate the important part that women play in the history of our nation this month.
A local private security company shared some safety tips to help keep women safe.
• Being distracted makes you a soft target. Criminals are always on the lookout for soft or vulnerable targets and will take advantage if you are not paying attention to your surroundings. Taking or making phone calls while driving, especially if you have children in the vehicle is a big distraction.
• Being aware of potential threats is the first and most effective line of defence for anyone.
• Put your phone away when out and about. Speaking on the phone while putting your kids or shopping into the car, for example, means you are concentrating on the call and not keeping an eye on your surroundings. It presents criminals with a great opportunity to hijack you or make off with your belongings.
• While driving, make sure your doors are locked and any valuable items are placed under the seat or in the boot, out of sight.
• If you are approaching your house, be on the lookout for any suspicious persons and rather drive around the block if you don't feel safe. It is also important to stay on the road, rather than in your driveway when waiting for the gate to open. It is also a good thing to change your driving routes and leaving times every now and again.
• Criminals scoping out your house will be able to know exactly when you leave and arrive and which routes you take. Keep them guessing by leaving perhaps slightly earlier or later and taking different routes to drop the kids at school, for example.
• When confronted with a criminal, escaping is always the better option. If you are able to, run away, yell for help. Do whatever you can to attract attention. If the criminal is after your purse or other items hand them over or throw them in one direction and run in the other.
• When possible tell someone where you are going and the time you expect to return. Save emergency numbers on your phone and try to memorise at least one contact number you can call in the event of an emergency.
• Trust your instinct. 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.
Stay safe this Woman's Month.
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