Page 4 - Dainfern Precinct Living 5 2021

FROM THE EDITOR

THREATS TO

OUR SECURITY

ack in 1995, in the days Act has for people working remotely event of a crisis at home – and then
when going to cinemas at home. It’s an Act that all of us sharing that information with every
was still fashionable, a have to get to grips with – and member of the household. Taking
Bmovie was released that quickly, as the grace period for the kids and staff through the basic
had us gripping the arm rests, compliance expires on 30 June steps of fire prevention and what to
white-knuckled, while all eyes were 2021. do if a fire spreads out of control will
riveted to the screen. The movie give them life skills that will not only
was about a computer software Another reality that we have to pay save them from disasters now, but
techie (Sandra Bullock) whose attention to, particularly as the cold will stand them in good stead for
whole life was turned upside snaps of winter have arrived, is the the future.
down. People that she worked possible threat of a fire breaking
with (virtually) were killed and out somewhere in the precinct. Talking about threats, we also
she was on the run. Her personal From time to time, we hear about have an article from James
identity was tampered with to such the devastation caused by shack Clarke that looks at the changes
an extent that, according to the fires in informal settlements, often in the flight or fight distances that
government records, she not only resulting in the tragic loss of lives, different species of our African
had a different name, she had a but we have to understand that wildlife have exhibited since the
different personal history . . . and none of us is immune. start of the COVID lockdown that
a criminal record! She came back so dramatically reduced visitor
from holiday to find that all her It’s certainly a relief knowing that volumes in the game reserves.
furniture and personal possessions Fire Ops SA have set up a fire Again, complacency is the enemy
had been cleaned out and her station at the ‘old gatehouse’ when it comes to fatalities. Wild
house was up for sale. The movie in Dainfern Golf Estate, but animals perceive humans to be a
was a blockbuster thriller that had we shouldn’t let that make us huge threat – and understandably
kept us all enthralled. complacent. As any security service so. We have taken so much
provider for residential estates will from them – their habitats, their
Twenty-six years later, that kind tell you, complacency is frequently freedom and, in many instances,
of identity tampering is no longer the problem when disaster strikes. their families. It’s to be expected
fiction, it’s part of our reality, one We choose to live in secure that sometimes when under threat
of the many threats that we have neighbourhoods to keep our loved they will choose to fight rather than
to deal with and face up to in our ones safe, but it’s not only about flee. Whilst we have weapons and
daily lives. In this issue, Amanda the ‘threats out there’. Safety tranquilisers that can overpower
Pillai takes us through some of starts in the home – and keeping them, as people out in the wild on
the implications that the POPI our loved ones out of harm’s way our own, we don’t stand a chance
(Protection of Personal Information) involves knowing what to do in the – although using our voices could
prove a last resort saving tactic, as
James points out.

On the whole, it pretty much all
boils down to respect. Respect
for our wildlife, respect for our
environment, respect for the
dangers of using fire to warm our
homes and cook our food, and
respect for each other.
To all the Dads and Grandfathers in
the Precinct, we hope you have a
fabulous Father's Day!

Till next time, take care and please
stay safe.
Warm regards,
Ann

EDITOR
Sandra Bullock in The Net Ann Arnott
annar@nowmedia.co.za

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DPL