Hijackings remain an issue around the country and residents should not become complacent, warned Charnel Hattingh, national marketing and communications manager, Fidelity ADT.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe continue to see incidents of follow-home hijackings and opportunistic hijackings throughout the year.<\/p>
\u201cAnyone who drives a car is at risk and needs to be aware and cautious,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
She advised drivers to wait in the road and not in their driveways if they suspect they are being followed.<\/p>
\u201cWait for any cars to pass you and wait until the car is a far distance away before entering your property.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you have a panic button or a mobile security app, have it on and on hand just in case.<\/p>\n
\u201cFidelity ADT has, for example, the FindU app which you could activate on your way home and in the event of an emergency trigger the app to send an alert,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Hattingh reminded parents that when you have children in the car, the eldest child should be seated behind the driver and the youngest to the left.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe National Hijack Prevention Academy recommends this.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reason for this is if you are hijacked and need to get out of the car, you can move quickly from the driver\u2019s door to the door directly behind it.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can reach across the eldest child to unstrap the younger child.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe eldest child can cling to you as you remove them both together,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you need to stop in your driveway to manually open the gate, remember to always leave the key in the ignition and the motor running unless you have a child in the car.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnly then should you take the key with you as you open the gate.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe key is a valuable negotiating tool \u2013 they want your car and you want your child.\u201d<\/p>\n
She asked all residents to be more alert the closer they get to home, checking for strangers or strange cars in their street.<\/p>\n
\u201cTurn your radio off, put your cellphone down, tell the kids to be quiet and concentrate on your surroundings as you approach home.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease report anything suspicious to your security provider or the SAPS immediately,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
And don\u2019t be lulled into a false sense of security because you live in a complex with guards.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Safety tips for parking your vehicle<\/a><\/p>\n Safety tips for outdoor training<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe have seen incidents of hijackings right in front of the guard houses at complex entrances.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can easily be followed into your complex so always remain vigilant.<\/p>\n \u201cResearch shows that most people relax the closer they get to home and this is often when they are most vulnerable,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n In the unfortunate event that you are hijacked, how do you give your car over in a non-threatening manner?<\/p>\n \u201cThe first and golden rule is to not antagonise the hijackers who are probably more scared than you are.<\/p>\n \u201cYou need to show them you are not a threat.<\/p>\n \u201cLift up your arms to show you have no weapon and will surrender.<\/p>\n \u201cUse your left arm to undo your seatbelt and put your car in neutral,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Do not turn off your car, said Hattingh, and get out slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cTry and angle your body sideways so you are not facing a firearm head-on.<\/p>\n \u201cAlso remember to protect your head with your arms and avoid direct eye contact with the hijackers but try to take in what they are wearing, the sound of their voices, etc.<\/p>\n \u201cMost importantly try to remain calm,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 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 Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n 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