Protection Services - Wits University

The following are the basics for every day safety:
When you leave your home:
– Make sure all your doors are locked,
– Make sure the gate closes behind you,
– Make sure there is no suspicious looking persons in the surrounding area, if so contact the nearest police station for patrols.
– A full description of the person or persons will assist the police in their look-out.
Out in the street:
– Keep your handbag close against you,
– Make sure your wallet is not visible – not in your back pocket,
– Do not put your handbag on the counter and walk or turn away,
– Do not leave handbags or other possessions in a supermarket trolley.
– Stay away from deserted or dark areas,
– As far as possible, leave valuables at home,
– If you are attacked or robbed, do not offer resistance or look at the person – your life is worth more than money, and
– Do not walk or wait for a lift on the freeway.
Vehicle safety:
– Physically check, by hand, that your vehicle doors are locked before you walk away to mitigate against thieves using signal jammers to block your remote locking system,
– Make sure you leave your valuables in the boot,
– Do not leave fi****ms in the vehicle, it is against the law,
– Do not drive around with your handbag or electronic devices on the passenger seat.
– Make sure your doors are locked and if possible close all windows while driving.
– Make sure all valuables are out of eye sight, Source:

Police offer advice on how to stay safe Villieria police gives general safety tips to the community.

HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS

With the holiday season fast approaching, we are left with many decisions and preparations to make before packing our trailers and making our way to our holiday destinations.

Ensuring the security of family and property is a key priority at this time. "Statistics clearly show that criminal activity increases during the holiday season and it is therefore imperative for homeowners to take the right precautions and not let their guard down….

Ensure that your alarm is in working order. People tend to forget that an alarm system, like a car, has parts that age and wear out and therefore should be serviced at least once a year." Spectacular thunderstorms, which are rampant in the summer months, can also wreak havoc on alarm systems…"December is traditionally a busy period for security companies, so you should try and test your alarms at least three weeks before going on holiday. Testing should be done outside of peak hours (between 8am and 4pm or after 8pm) and if a fault is discovered, it should be immediately reported to the security service provider's technical team.

Due to increasingly high walls, electric fencing and other desperate measures that homeowners resort to in order to protect their property, the emergency reactions of armed response officers can be hindered. Homeowners should check with their security service provider about alternate access options available such as an EZI pad. The EZI pad, is an electronic device that is attached to the driveway gate, and allows the security officer access to the property once a secret code is activated.

Another important holiday safety tip is to be discreet when preparing to go away. "People should park their cars behind closed doors, if possible in their garage. Homeowners should also never leave a message on their answering machine stating that they are out of town,". Additional Personal Safety Tips for the Holidays Advise your security company if you are going away and ensure that you supply all the necessary information regarding nearby key holders, in case of an emergency

Inform your neighbours of your holiday plans so that they can keep an eye on your property.

Stop all newspaper deliveries and ask a friend or neighbour to collect your post. A bulging post box is a dead giveaway that you are not at home

If hiring a house sitter, ensure that you teach them how to use your alarm correctly. Double check that you have locked and secured all windows and doors before leaving home. Ensure that all your outside locks are a minimum of four lever locks or double cylinder security locks.

Never leave a key in the inside of an outer door which has glass panels or glass near the door lock. Having security gates fitted on outer doors is a highly effective security measure that gives you an extra line of defence. Sliding doors can be secured simply by placing a piece of timber cut to size in the sliding rail. Make sure that sliding doors cannot be lifted vertically.

Full fencing and sturdy gates are a good deterrent. Do not leave tools like ladders or spades outside, as they can be used to break into your house. Clear signage indicating that you have security also helps to discourage burglars.

STAY SAFE!!!