ESCAPE ROUTE
Before a crisis arises, it is important to have an emergency plan.
o Put your plan down on paper and make sure that the whole household is familiar with it.
o Assess all entry and exit points. Decide on the best way out in the event of a criminal entering your home or of a fire. For example, if an intruder breaks into the house via a front entrance, or a fire breaks out, the family can escape through a window or opening at the back of the house. Certain windows and/or openings must be identified and expandable/retractable security barriers fitted to these. The keys for these barriers on these openings must be placed in a secret but accessible place.( Remember that a window is not an ideal escape route - broken glass is a hazard. A door is preferable...)
HOLIDAY ARRANGEMENTS
o Try not to leave your home unoccupied. If possible get a friend or relative to house-sit for you.
o Do not get a stranger to house-sit. If necessary, use an agency that specialises in this.
o Your home must never look unoccupied. Arrange for a friend or neighbour to leave your curtains in the usual open or closed positions, and mow your lawn, etc., for you. Let them keep the curtains slightly parted so that your house doesn't have an empty look.
o Leave a telephone number and contact address with neighbours or any other reliable person so that you can be contacted in an emergency.
o Inform your armed response/alarm company that you will be away.
o Inform the police of your absence.
o Never leave an answering machine message that you are not at home. Say something like: "We can't come to the phone right now..."
o Use timers to turn lights, televisions and sound systems on and off at different times to give your home a "lived-in look" when you're away.
o If there's a Neighbourhood Watch Program in your community, join it.
o Report any suspicious persons or vehicles to your local police.
o Be careful who you tell that you are going away!
o Don't let mail, newspapers or flyers accumulate while you're away, tipping off criminals. Have the post office hold mail, have newspapers suspended, and have a neighbour or friend clear away flyers.
o If possible (and safe), leave a car in your driveway or arrange for a neighbour to leave a car there from time to time.
Be alert
o When arriving at or departing from your home, look out for loiterers. Do not ignore such persons as they could be a danger to you and your household.
o Keep necessary emergency numbers clearly posted next to the telephone. These must be easily accessible when needed.
o Don't leave valuables where they are visible through windows, etc. They might tempt potential burglars.
o Make an inventory of all the valuables in your household and store it somewhere other than your home.
o Mark valuables. (Etching, punching, etc.)
o Do not ignore any unusual sounds or noises, barking dogs, alarms, breaking glass, etc. Be very cautious when investigating. Rather have the police or your armed response company investigate for you.
o If you do not have a response facility and you are going to check outside, keep your family safe by locking the door behind you. If necessary they will be able to summon help for you
Guard personal information
Identity theft is a real threat and poses a real danger for the victim. Supply personal information, to anyone that asks, with great caution.
DRIVEWAY HIJACKING
One form of crime that is becoming increasingly popular is driveway hijacking.
o Be ready for the unexpected. The hijacker can strike at any time.
o Be very cautious when arriving at or departing from your home.
o Keep a lookout and be prepared to drive away quickly, if you must. (Be careful never to endanger anyone's life). Have an emergency plan. Decide which is the best way to escape if there was an attempted hijacking in your driveway. Could you drive down the pavement, or over a concrete island for example?
o Make sure you are not followed to or from your home. If you are followed, go to the nearest police station or a place where there are many people. Avoid quiet streets or areas. Petrol stations all have security cameras that highjackers want to avoid. Go to a garage and stop in the middle of the courtyard somewhere.
o When approaching your home, look around for any suspicious loiterers or vehicles and report them to the authorities immediately.
o Try not to reverse out of your driveway. When leaving your premises, always try and face the road.
o If you do not already have a remote-controlled gate, you may want to consider installing one. (Consult the experts as automated gates can also present a security threat)
o Avoid establishing fixed patterns. This increases the risk of victimisation by observant, potential hijackers.
o If you arrive home and notice something suspicious, like the dogs not coming to welcome you, drive on! Go to the nearest police station or follow one of the other suggestions in this section.
o Always keep car doors locked and windows closed.
o Keep an eye on your neighbours' houses. Ask them to do the same for you. Report the presence of loiterers to the police.
o Remember, if you become a victim of carjacking, don't resist. Your life is more valuable than the most expensive car.
o Be aware that hijackers sometimes impersonate police or traffic officials. They use vehicles with flashing blue lights and some even have access to police uniforms.
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