{"id":178911,"date":"2018-05-21T06:30:24","date_gmt":"2018-05-21T04:30:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/?p=178911"},"modified":"2018-05-21T14:24:56","modified_gmt":"2018-05-21T12:24:56","slug":"stay-safe-dont-fall-common-traps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2018\/05\/21\/stay-safe-dont-fall-common-traps\/","title":{"rendered":"Stay safe and don\u2019t fall into these common traps"},"content":{"rendered":"

Just like we have to know a few clever ingenious tricks to complete our daily tasks, whether it\u2019s preparing for a meeting or cooking a meal, criminals also have a few tricks of their own.<\/p>\n

Linda Reeder, Fidelity ADT community development manager, said it is worth ensuring everyone in the family, including all domestic staff, take a few moments to familiarise themselves with safety procedures.<\/p>

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\u201cUnfortunately, we cannot always take things at face value and it is far better to be cautious and check out credentials and signs than be left in a dangerous or compromising situation.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost importantly never ignore your sixth sense,\u201d said Reeder.<\/p>\n

She provided the following useful list of do\u2019s and don\u2019ts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
DO NOT<\/strong><\/td>\nDO<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Don\u2019t just assume your family members know about the tricks fraudsters often employ.<\/td>\nGet them together and discuss safety with your family, not to scare them but to empower them.\u00a0 Especially young children that have not been exposed to these tricks.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Don\u2019t go out when someone shouts for help or rings your bell to say that they have been hurt.<\/td>\nPhone the police, your security company and\/or CPF to alert them of the incident.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Don\u2019t just go outside onto the pavement to check your electricity box if the electricity suddenly goes off.<\/td>\nFirst check if there is an area power outage. If not it may be safer to contact an outside contractor.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Don\u2019t go outside if there is a tap running for no reason.<\/td>\nThis could be a ploy to entice you outside to open up your home. Rather contact your security provider to check your premises.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Don\u2019t just open the door for unannounced people that are selling something, for service providers or job seekers.<\/td>\nThey could be impersonators. Always ensure a formal appointment has been made.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Don\u2019t just presume everyone has all the correct emergency numbers.<\/td>\nTake time now to check that you have all the correct up-to-date numbers you need for an emergency and if your children are old enough for cellphones, make sure they have the emergency numbers as well. They should be kept visibly on the fridge or somewhere centrally.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Don\u2019t go out without activating your alarm.<\/td>\nNo matter how short the period is, take time to secure your home first.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Don\u2019t talk on your phone when approaching your home.<\/td>\nThis is where you need to be on high alert for someone who may be following you. Criminals generally don\u2019t just come out of nowhere.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Don\u2019t just assume your panic button and alarm are working.<\/td>\nTest these regularly at least once a month in non-peak hours.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Don\u2019t relax when there is a power outage.<\/td>\nStay alert and have a plan of action\u00a0 in case of an emergency. Keep your panic button close.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za <\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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