Have you ever wondered what to do if you are attacked or become a victim of crime?<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately, we live in an increasingly violent society where such crimes are a reality,\u201d said Jason Mordecai, managing director of Seven Arrows Security.<\/p>
\u201cIt is, therefore, vital for men and women to lift their heads out of the sand and pay attention to what is going on around them.\u201d<\/p>\n
He further encouraged the community to make their personal safety their number one priority.<\/p>
He shared several safety tips for the community to keep in mind when they are out and about:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Awareness is self-defence:<\/strong><\/p>\n Being aware of your surroundings is ultimately one of the best self-defence mechanisms one could have.<\/p>\n \u201cDistraction is often what attackers count on, and if you are aware this will most definitely make your attacker less likely to be able to take advantage,\u201d said Mordecai.<\/p>\n \u2022 It is exactly what you think it is:<\/strong><\/p>\n Trust your instincts, your intuition does not lie.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you feel something does not seem right, walk the other way and remove yourself from the situation,\u201d said Mordecai.<\/p>\n Community members are encouraged to always report suspicious activity to either their security company or the SAPS.<\/p>\n \u2022 Make eye contact:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cLet others know you have noticed and seen them. It is harder for someone to surprise you if they know you have seen them,\u201d said Mordecai.<\/p>\n \u2022 Find your travel buddy:<\/strong><\/p>\n Do not visit places such as parks and cemeteries on your own. Rather ask a friend or a family member to go with you.<\/p>\n \u2022 Don\u2019t isolate yourself:<\/strong><\/p>\n Choose an area that is well populated and frequently used.<\/p>\n Avoid solitary areas, especially highly vegetated areas that prevent you from visually assessing movement around you.<\/p>\n Situate yourself in a location where you can easily spot danger.<\/p>\n \u2022 Rules rule:<\/strong><\/p>\n Set some ground rules for your children.<\/p>\n \u201cExplain where they may and may not go, and create a visual perimeter,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n \u201cNominate a rendezvous point in case they get lost and give them a verbal command that means they must come back to you immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2022 Leave your valuables at home:<\/strong><\/p>\n People without valuables present a much smaller target to opportunistic criminals.<\/p>\n \u2022 Be social media savvy:<\/strong><\/p>\n Do not update your every location on social media platforms.<\/p>\n \u201cCriminals do not need to get invited by their victims to places.<\/p>\n \u201cBy sharing too much information about your whereabouts you can make yourself an easy target,\u201d said Mordecai.<\/p>\n \u2022 Defend yourself:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cIf someone tries to grab you, twist your arm up and down and yell, \u2018Stop\u2019.<\/p>\n \u201cDo anything you can to draw attention to yourself,\u201d advised Mordecai.<\/p>\n Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Kgotsofalang 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<\/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>\nALSO READ:\u00a0Police warn community about unsettling trend<\/a><\/h4>\n