Keith Blake, community leader, Ottery
As a retired police officer, I would like to share some safety tips to help people avoid becoming a crime statistic over the festive season.
Child safety
• Tell your children never to talk or interact in any way with strangers.
• Know where your children are at all times, and make sure they know your contact details.
• Never send a child to a shop or on an errand alone, even if it is nearby.
• Ask your children every day how their day was.
Home safety
• A good barking dog can protect your property.
• Check your home and see where it is vulnerable to criminals.
• Get to know your neighbours and form a buddy system so that you can keep an eye on each other's properties and help each other in emergencies.
• Check if you have a neighbourhood watch, and find out where your local police station and other emergency services are.
• Know the name and contact details of your ward councillor.
Vehicles
• Check your vehicle’s roadworthiness.
• Make sure you have enough petrol before going somewhere.
• Obey all rules of the road.
• Plan your route and inform your family about it.
• Keep car doors locked at all times.
• Park in a safe place.
Shopping
• Place your money in three or four different places on your body to lessen the chances of you losing it all if you are mugged.
• Never leave your handbag or items under chairs or benches. Hold onto them while shopping and watch out for pickpockets.
• Hold children’s hands while shopping and watch them all the time.
ATMs
• Do not ask for or accept assistance from anyone at an ATM.
• Don’t use an ATM in an isolated area or after hours.
• Don’t flash the cash that you have drawn.
Cellphones
• Avoid using cellphones in public or placing them in back pockets or in open handbags.
• Never use a cellphone while driving.
• Always have sufficient data on your cellphone - you never know when you need it in an emergency.
• Know whom your children are communicating with or what they are watching on their cellphones.
Beaches and parks
• Always check the weather.
• Make sure you are aware of emergency safety measures.
• Avoid deserted places and remember that there is safety in numbers.
• Children should be supervised by a responsible adult.
• Fall flat if there is shooting - you will be less of a target.
Covid-19
• Wear your mask, keep your distance from others and sanitise your hands properly.
Emergency numbers
Life Line - 021 461 1113
Child Line - 080 012 3123
Gender-Based Violence SA - 0800 428 428
Rape Crissis - 021 447 9762.
Ambulance - 10177
Police Flying Squad - 10111.
Nationwide cellphone emergency number - 112.
City of Cape Town general emergency - 107 on a landline or 021 480 7700 on a cellphone.