Page 6 - FWG Issue 7 August 2024

Security

As South Africa celebrates Women’s Month this
August, 24/7 Security Services encourages you
to share these safety tips with all the women in

your life.

Be Aware
Life is fast-paced and busy, and our minds
may not be focused on what we are doing
or where we are going. Whether walking,
sitting in their cars, driving, or entering their
homes, people frequently have their heads
down, paying attention to their phones,
unaware of who or what is around them.
Awareness is the most important line of
defence!

Don’t Be Flashy
Never be flashy with items like your
smartphone, purse, or expensive jewellery
when you are out and about. It can serve as
an open invitation.

Cell Phone Safety
l Do not leave your phone on the
restaurant table while dining out – put it
in your pocket or handbag.
l When queueing at a shop or ATM, keep
your phone out of sight.
l Don’t walk and text in public.
l While refuelling at a filling station, do not
sit in your car engaged on your phone l If anyone asks for assistance with car else. The area around your home, your

with the window open. issues when you’re alone, stay in your car favourite stores, your regular walking route
l Do not text while sitting in traffic – you and offer to call for help. Do not get out etc., are all areas where you may feel at
are a soft target for criminals moving and help them. ease, but they aren’t necessarily safer than
between vehicles. l Ensure your vehicle is in good condition anywhere else. Stay alert and be aware.

l Be alert when making calls in public. and that you have sufficient fuel before
l You need to exercise, your phone does departing. Check the spare tyre and
not! Leave your phone at home when ensure it is properly inflated in case you Always Be Prepared
exercising in public. When walking alone, carry a self-defence
have a flat tyre.

l Always lock your car doors and store your tool, like pepper spray or a mobile panic
Vehicle Safety belongings out of sight. button. Keep it at the ready, not tucked
away in your handbag
l When walking to your car, have the key
out and ready to go before exiting the Buddy Up
building – that way, you don’t have to dig Avoid walking alone. When you are out, Trust Your Sixth Sense
in your handbag when standing by your especially in the early morning and late Humans have the gift of a gut instinct,
car. afternoon, it is best to have someone with sometimes called the sixth sense.

l Immediately lock your car doors once you. If you must be out alone, try to stay in Unfortunately, many people overlook
you are inside and begin to drive. It is well-lit, public areas. this instinct or even label it paranoid or
not safe to sit in an unlocked car and turn judgemental. It is best to trust your gut
your attention to something else! reaction if you feel a situation or person
l If you feel uneasy, ask someone Never Get Too Comfortable could be unsafe. If you think someone

trustworthy, such as a store employee It is important to remember that, just is following you or acting strangely or
or security guard, to accompany you to because you’re in a familiar setting, it does suspiciously, report them. Better to be safe
your car. not mean that you are safer than anywhere than sorry!

Fourways Gardens • 4 • August 2024