We all worry about the safety of our loved ones. A month like Valentine’s Month provides a handy reminder for all of us to think again on what we can do to keep them safe, from crime and from anything that might put them in harm’s way.
“We live in a scary and unpredictable world. There is a lot to worry about but at the same time there is a lot that you and I can do to keep our loved ones as safe as we possibly can,” says Charnel Hattingh, Group Head of Marketing and Communications at Fidelity ADT.
A good place to start is to make sure everyone in your household knows exactly what to do in an emergency.
“An emergency scenario is traumatic by nature, and it is near impossible to think rationally,” says Hattingh. “Chat to your loved ones and ask them if they know who they should contact when something goes wrong. Make sure they have the correct contact numbers for the police, your neighbourhood watch, your security company or your closest hospital saved on their phones.”
Assessing your property and doing a thorough check to rule out any vulnerable areas should also be on the list.
“Look for anything that could help an intruder to access or exit the property. Inspect the locks on perimeter gates and garage doors – are they in good condition, or can they be broken with some force? Be on the lookout for anything that can be used to force entry. And if you have an electric fence, when last did you test it.”
Window and door locks must be checked regularly.
“It is important that outward-leading doors and windows, are locked from the inside when no-one is home and overnight. The same kind of caution should apply to doors that lead from a garage into the main part of the house. Regardless of the time of day, keep curtains or blinds drawn in a way that makes it difficult to see in from the outside. Never leave valuables – or keys – anywhere that they can be seen or reached from a window.”
If there is a home security or fire detection system installed, she advises that it is regularly tested to ensure that it is in proper working condition when it’s needed most.
Lastly, if there is any reason to believe that there is an intruder on the property, Hattingh’s advice is to never go outside to investigate.
“Make sure that everyone in the household knows that they must immediately call the police or your security company. Try to remain on the line with them until officers arrive, and only venture outside once they indicate that it is safe to do so.”
