This year’s Safer Festive Season Operations in the North West commenced on Friday, 11 November 2022, and will continue until 31 January 2023 under the theme: “More boots on the ground towards enhanced police visibility.”

Most schools have now been closed and families are preparing to celebrate Christmas and New Year. In order to be vigilant, the public is urged to adhere to the following safety hints:

Advice to keep your home safe in your absence:

Ask your neighbours to take out the post. Post left in the mailbox says that nobody is home.

Make sure you have good lighting. Don’t leave the outside lights on during the day.

Don’t let too many people know when you are going on holiday, only those whom you trust.

Make sure your doors lock properly and that you have burglar bars.

If your house is broken into, notify the police immediately.

If you are going on a road trip:

Buckle up.

Don’t drink and drive.

Keep a safe following distance.

Do not use up your energy on activities, which will increase your fatigue.

Get enough sleep the night before, at least six hours.

Plan your trip, the route you will travel and where you will stop and rest overnight.

Make sure your car is roadworthy.

Make sure you have a spare wheel and that it is in good condition with the necessary tools to change a tyre.

Make sure your luggage is in the boot and that it is closed properly.

Stop every two hours, taking 15-minute breaks.

If you feel tired or restless, pull over at a safe stop and rest for a little while.

If you are travelling at night:

Be on the lookout for suspicious-looking people or vehicles.

Know where you are going, do not use unfamiliar routes to get home.

Lock your doors and close your windows.

If you are bumped from behind, head to the nearest police station or place of safety.

Never leave keys in your ignition to open gates.

Don’t wait for your passengers, drive around the block or get out of the car and lock the doors.

Never pick up hitchhikers.

Don’t get out to assist someone who seems to be in trouble. Inform the police.

To ensure your safety while shopping:

Avoid carrying large amounts of money.

Don’t leave valuable belongings in the trolley.

Don’t have your wallet or purse visible. Keep your wallet in a front pocket and not the back pocket.

Don’t let money be too visible, especially large amounts.

Hold your child’s hand and always be alert of them. Always accompany them to the bathroom

If you are part of a stokvel society or group, do not withdraw all the money in order to distribute it, rather pay it into the different bank accounts of the participants through an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).

Statement supplied.