Please review our valuable and useful hints on how to keep your family or business safe from burglaries, personal attacks and fire disasters. Our company can also provide advice on security system design and other techniques to apprehend and/or deter offenders. Please select the area of concern below and view helpful tips from experienced Police and Fire officers and Safety professionals.
Protecting Your Children
Introduction
Children are particularly attractive targets for criminals - particularly children of families where there is a perception of wealth. Many poorer countries perceive all foreigners to be wealthy. Since you are not with your children 24 hours every day, it is your responsibility to teach them how to cope with the variety of situations they may encounter. Have regular, open discussions about security. Help them to understand that security precautions are essential for the safety and welfare of the entire family.
Protecting Children
- Never leave young children at home alone, even if you're "only going to be gone for a minute." That's all it takes for a professional criminal to do their work or for the child to become a victim of a disaster.
- Educate school-aged children in the use of the telephone, conversing with strangers and answering the door.
- Instruct children never to give out information over the phone or the internet, especially their name and address. Never let a caller know that you are home alone.
- The best advice is for children not to enter internet chat rooms of any kind and never answer the phone except when you call at a pre-arranged time.
- Children should be told to travel on the main roads, in groups or in pairs.
- Not to play in isolated areas, parks, alleys or empty buildings.
- Not to go to a friend's place after school unless you know the person and the family.
- A specified time must be set for their return home. The best advice is to ensure they call you by phone when they are about to leave.
- Younger children should always arrive home before darkness falls.
- In some countries, it is advisable to always deliver and pick your children up from friends residences.
- Children should never leave home without telling you where they are going and with whom, and to call if their arrangements change.
- In many areas and countries children should be accompanied to and from the school bus stop. In some circumstances it may be necessary to use private conveyance to and from school.
- At school, be sure that before a child is released to anyone other than the parent, a teacher or administrator phones the parent for approval. On phone requests, make sure the school has a procedure to verify identity before releasing your child.
- Be aware that if a child is the subject of custody proceedings or rights, under no circumstances should they be picked up from school by an unauthorized person. Many countries do not recognize other countries court orders.
- School authorities should be fully informed if there is difficulty in custody cases.
- In cases where a parent cannot be immediately contacted, prior arrangements should be made with schools to contact a relative or close friend of the family who is designated to authorize release.
- Make sure that adult supervision is provided at all times in recreational and other areas.
- In public places, such as a shopping mall and parks, instruct children to scream "Help, he's not my Daddy!" or "Help, she's not my Mummy!" if someone tries to grab them.
- Instruct children never to enter a motor vehicles of persons they do not know, even if the person claims to know members of the family.
- All such incidents should be reported to the Police.
- Teach your children how to read and memorize vehicle registration numbers.
- Teach your children to tell you everything. Caring parents always know where their child is going and with whom.
Home Security Procedures
Introduction
Our home has been described as our castle. It is often the
most valuable asset we possess. The privacy of our dwelling is a value which is guarded
and defended strenuously, but often we fail to provide the security it requires.
Whether at home or abroad, security awareness must permeate
through every member of the family, including children.
The aim is not to create anxiety but to generate
security-minded attitudes and habits whereby every family member will benefit.
Your spouse or partner should be oriented and trained in
proper procedures to take in all emergency situations and will greatly assist in providing
security awareness to other family members.
At Home
One of the major concerns of all families at home or abroad
in an ever increasing violent society, is the protection of the family and the home. For
security measures to be effective, all household members must be aware of potential
security problems and what precautionary steps to take.
-
All servants, housekeepers, gardeners and part-time employees
such as baby-sitters, should be screened before employment. Don't assume all people are
honest. Do an in-depth interview and check references.
-
Keep in mind that you are allowing someone into your home who
knows your schedule, has access to everything in your house and who knows a great deal
about you.
-
Make sure every member of the household, children as well as
baby-sitters and other help, understand and follow security practices.
- Don't open the door to unknown visitors.
-
Ask for proper identification before allowing a repairman,
salesman or similar type of caller inside.
-
Criminals often carry false identity cards, when in doubt, be
cautious and call to confirm the person's identity before allowing entry.
-
Don't open the door to accept packages unless the delivery has
been verified by the delivery company, or you're expecting this particular delivery.
-
Servants must be aware of all delivery drivers who have
possible access to the home.
-
Don't allow "stranded motorists" inside to use the
telephone. Have them stay outside, with the door locked, while you make the call for them.
-
Be suspicious about phone callers not known to you who want to
know where a family member is, or what they are doing.
-
Don't give out information to "wrong numbers"
callers. If a caller asks "to who am I speaking?" respond with "who are you
calling? What number did you dial?.. Sorry wrong number."
- Above all, don't let a caller know you're home alone.
-
Secretaries and work colleagues should not give residential
telephone numbers to unknown callers. Take the caller's number and tell him/her the person
they want will call them back.
-
Trust your instincts. If you see someone or something around
your home or neighbourhood that doesn't seem right, make a note of the description or
vehicle licence number and report it to the police.
-
If there is a Neighbourhood Watch group in your area, join it.
- Do not become routine in shopping or appointments.
- Post emergency numbers next to every telephone.
-
Your burglar alarm should be turned on every time you leave
your property.
-
When returning to your property at night do not leave the
safety of your motor vehicle until you are sure it is safe to do so.
If your garage is fitted with an automatic opener, do not open the door until it is safe
to do so. Automatic security lighting is extremely beneficial under these circumstances.
-
If you live in a country or where circumstances require it,
set up a "safe room" in the house to which you can retreat in case of forced
entry by intruders.
-
The safe room should have a strong door, deadbolt locks and a
phone. Its purpose is to give you added minutes of security until the police arrive.
- Don't put your name on house keys, the mailbox or door.
-
If you lose your house keys, have the locks changed
immediately.
- Don't hide a house key outside where it can be found easily.
-
Make it appear as though someone is at home when the family is
away by playing a radio or television, or by using timers to turn lights on and off.
-
Have a friend or neighbour park a car in the driveway at
different times.
- Arrange to have the grass cut.
-
Be sure to stop mail and paper deliveries, or have a trusted
friend pick them up.
-
Inform your neighbour watch group how long you will be away,
if you are a member.
- A dog may be a deterrent to burglars.
Office Security Procedures
Introduction
All staff must be encouraged to be vigilant for threats to
security. Education programs identifying threat levels and counter-measures should be
part of everyday business practices.
Most offices do not follow reasonable security practices.
Often it is easy to gain entry, especially for the person who looks like they belong
there. Once inside, it's easy for the intruder to access personal possessions, office
supplies and equipment, and property information.
Office Security
-
Visitors should be required to sign in and wear a visitor ID
Badge.
-
A receptionist or security person should be positioned so that
everyone has to pass by them for access to the building, elevator or office.
-
Appointments should be verified and all visitors should be
accompanied by company personnel at all times.
-
Ask for and check the identification of anyone unfamiliar to
you who is in employee-occupied areas of your office.
-
Set up strict procedures for control of keys to executive
offices, desks, file cabinets and other office areas.
-
Don't leave keys or wallets in your jacket, coat or purse when
you leave your office area.
- Receptionist's areas should be manned during lunch breaks.
-
Many criminal and "Street Kids" known as "Stair
Dancers" operate during lunch and tea breaks to steal personal items from unattended
offices and areas.
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Ensure your personal items are locked away or at least out of
sight during work hours.
-
Where access control systems operate these should not be
turned off until secretaries or receptionists arrive at work and should be activated when
they leave.
-
Visitors leaving after hours should be escorted from the
building.
-
Restrooms and areas that are accessible to the public should
be locked.
-
Doors to maintenance areas, telephone and electrical equipment
rooms should be locked.
-
All public access rooms should be checked at night before the
office is closed.
-
All petty cash, valuable items and sensitive information must
be locked in a security cabinet or safe.
- A "clear desk" policy is recommended for all staff.
-
A hidden emergency button should be installed at the
receptionist's desk.
-
In some circumstances it may be necessary to install an
emergency button at the desks of key executives.
-
Avoid loose talk about corporate affairs, especially casual
conversations in bars or clubs, or releasing of sensitive information that should be kept
confidential.
-
The names, positions, home address or phone numbers of key
executives or corporate officials should not be given out over the telephone.
-
Sensitive areas should be swept periodically for bugs or
eavesdropping devices.
-
Keep a low profile about company or personnel information that
could be advantageous to criminals, particularly publicity in social columns and trips,
memberships, parties, social activities and other indicators of wealth or social status.
-
All personal information about senior or key executives should
be treated as security classified information and not made public without proper
clearances.
-
Good housekeeping is essential in every workplace. Get rid of
overgrown shrubbery, old boxes and discarded packaging material.This could provide cover
for the intending wrongdoer.
-
Executive parking areas shouldn't be easily identifiable.
Names should not be posted on parking spaces.
-
When giving out keys to parking attendants, make sure it is
only the ignition key, not the boot key, and definitely not a key ring with house and
office keys.
Important Personal Safety
Introduction
Physically protecting yourself and your family in an ever
increasing violent society can be an added pressure to family life. Law Enforcement
Authorities no longer provide the level of protection we would like. The safety of
ourselves and our families can be greatly enhanced by being aware of simple measures that
can be taken.
Topic covered are:
Countering
non-Sexual Attacks
- Avoid localities where assaults are known to occur.
-
If in such an area, keep to well-lit routes, avoid drunks and
noisy groups, adopt a low profile in terms of dress and behaviour, remain alert, walk
close to the kerb and avoid bushes or buildings.
-
If threatened, run to the nearest well-lit premises, enter and
ask the owner for immediate assistance by contacting the police.
-
If assaulted, and not trained to resist, scream but if the
assault continues feign unconsciousness. Adopt a foetal position on the ground, face down,
protecting the head with the arms and the soft parts of the body by tucking the legs up.
-
If available use a shrill screech siren to frighten the
attacker and immediately run away.
- If trained, resist attack and call for assistance.
- Whatever the circumstances, inform the police immediately.
Countering sexual attacks on adults- outside the home
- Avoid localities where these attacks are known to occur.
-
If in such an area keep to well-lit streets, avoid drunks and
rowdy persons, adopt as low a profile in terms of dress and behaviour as possible, remain
alert, walk close to the kerb and not near bushes or buildings and if possible always have
a friend as an escort.
-
If threatened, run to the nearest well-lit premises, enter and
ask the owner for immediate assistance by contacting the police.
-
If escape is impossible scream/shout and continue as long as
possible.
-
If, because of a threat, shouting is inappropriate, attempt to
talk the attacker out of continuing the assault.
-
If trying to talk the attacker out of continuing the assault
fails, attempt to open your bowels and defecate, or...
-
Bite the attacker's tongue off if the opportunity is
presented, or..
-
Stab the eyes of the attacker with fingers, comb or
appropriate sharp objects, or..
-
Crush the male attacker's genitals using the hand, knee or
foot.
- Inform the police immediately.
-
Remember, your survival is of paramount importance. If you
consider at the time of the assault these countermeasures would reduce the likelihood of
survival under no circumstances place yourself at further risk by provoking the attacker.
Countering
Sexual Assaults on Adults
- In The Home
<top>
-
As far as practical, use curtains to prevent prowlers being
able to look into the premises.
- Wherever possible, keep all doors and windows locked.
-
Never open the door to a stranger without using a door chain
or a restraining bolt.
-
If an intruder is in the house, never attempt a confrontation
but leave the house immediately and seek help.
-
If confronted by an intruder, scream/shout for a neighbour,
partner/spouse or family member even if they are absent.
-
If attacked and because of threat, shouting seems
inappropriate, attempt to talk the attacker out of the assault.
- Inform the police immediately.
Countering sexual attacks on children
-
Do not leave young children home alone.
-
Supervision of children should be by parents, relatives or
close friends that are well known to the parents. If used, child minders should be
registered, and baby sitters should be over 16 years old with good references and
experience.
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Alarm them, young?? Arm them, young OR Young children must be taught never to speak to
strangers, to accept any gifts, nor enter strangers' houses or cars. If such offers or
invitations are made, the child should immediately inform the parent or teacher.
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Always escort small children to and from school or arrange
with another parent in the same class to do so.
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Never let a small child enter its own home unaccompanied; if
the parents are absent, arrangements must be made for the child to be collected by
relatives or close friends.
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Suspicions about adult behaviour in connection with children
must be reported to the police immediately.
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Teach the child to tell its parents, teachers or the nearest
policeman, of the presence and behaviour of an adult who is worrying it.
Countering
Street Robbery or Mugging
<top>
- Avoid localities where muggings are known to occur.
-
If in such an area keep to well-lit streets, avoid drunks and
rowdy persons, adopt as low a profile in terms of dress and behaviour as possible, remain
alert, walk close to the kerb and not near bushes or buildings and if possible always have
a friend as an escort.
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Avoid carrying large handbags or wallets. Their obvious
presence will attract robbers.
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If threatened, run to the nearest well-lit premises, enter and
ask the owner for immediate assistance by contacting the police.
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If escape is impossible, hand over that which is demanded and
memorize as full a description of the attacker(s) as possible.
- Inform the police immediately.
Countering
Extortion and Blackmail
<top>
-
When initial demand and threat is made, if the circumstances
allow, obtain the following:
- A full description of the person.
- The nature of the demand or demands.
-
A few days grace in order to comply with the demand, and
face-to-face meeting to hand over valuables.
- Inform the police immediately.
Going Away from Home
Introduction
How secure your property is depends on your attitude towards
home security. A positive attitude means making the effort to ensure that the three most
important steps listed below are taken.
- Fit reliable locks to all doors and windows.
- Put security markings on all your property.
-
Join your local Neighbourhood Support or Community Support Group (Contact your local
Crime Prevention Officer.)
Securing your Home
-
To all accessible windows, fit Security Stays for ventilation
when home. Lock windows when going out.
- Fit locks to accessible windows.
- Install external lighting and alarms as appropriate.
- Lock your letter box with a padlock.
-
Lock the garage - a close shackle padlock and strong hasp and
staple will provide extra security. Lock the inside with a door bolt.
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Fit locks to any window that opens in your garden shed and a
padlock and a strong hasp to the door.
-
Back doors are often fitted with a simple 2 lever
mortise
lock. Fit a 3 or 5 lever lock and install locking bolts. The back of your house is often
more vulnerable than the front.
-
Secure gates with padlock. Lock ladders and tools in shed or
garage.
- Fit a door viewer and a strong security chain.
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Fit a lock with a deadbolt to the door and all other external
doors including connecting door between the garage and the house.
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Fit hinge bolts to French doors, top and bottom. Fit sliding
door deadlock to sliding patio doors. Fit patio bolts to deck or patio doors.
-
Keep shrubs trimmed so that they do not cloak any intruders
activities. Display warning signs.
Household Security Hardware Survey
Assess your Household Security Hardware requirements by
completing the following:
Front Door
|
YES
|
NO |
Is it fitted with a Deadlocking Security Lock?
|
|
|
Is a Door Viewer required?
|
|
|
Is a Security Chain fitted?
|
|
|
Back Door |
|
|
Is it fitted with a Security Lock?
|
|
|
Are Locking Bolts fitted at top and bottom?
|
|
|
Patio
Doors
(Hinged)
|
|
|
Are Patio Bolts fitted at top and bottom?
|
|
|
Are Hinge Bolts Fitted?
|
|
|
Patio
Doors
(Sliding)
|
|
|
Is it fitted with Security Deadlocks?
|
|
|
Is it fitted with "Anti Lift" devices?
|
|
|
Is it fitted with a Patio Bolt?
|
|
|
Windows |
|
|
Are all accessible windows fitted with locks?
|
|
|
Are all accessible windows fitted with Security Stays?
|
|
|
Are all louvre window slats glued in or fitted with Securi-Bars?
|
|
|
Garages
and Sheds
|
|
|
Are all internal doors between garage and house fitted with a Security Lock?
|
|
|
Are all external doors securely locked with Padlocks or Security Locks?
|
|
|
Are all windows fitted with Deadlocks or Security Bars?
|
|
|
Going away checklist
The following are useful ideas and should
be used as appropriate for your own situation:
1
. Lock all doors and windows including garage, house
and garden shed.
|
2. Cancel postal, newspaper and milk deliveries. |
3. Lock away all tools and ladders. |
4
. Arrange for lawns and shrubs to be trimmed while
you are away.
|
5
. Mark all your valuables with your own security
mark.
|
6
. Display "Beware" signs if you have a dog
or alarm. Advertise it.
|
7. Leave the radio on quietly. |
8. Do not draw your drapes. |
9
. Leave appropriate light(s) on connected to a timer
or sensor so it goes on at night only.
|
10
. Leave some washing securely attached to your washing
line
|
11. Advise your neighbours of your plans. |
12. Consult your community support group.
|
Fire Protection At Home
Introduction
It is an important
fact that there are more fatalities at home due to fire or smoke inhalation than criminal
attacks in the home. All family members should be aware of potential problems, and the
precautionary steps to take.
Fire safety and
awareness is an important part of safe-guarding your home and family. The aim is not to
create anxiety, but, to generate fire safety attitudes and habits whereby every family
member and house guest will benefit.
Your spouse or
partner should be orientated and trained in proper procedures to take in all fire
emergency situations. This will greatly assist in providing safety awareness to all other
individuals who live or visit your home.
Many people are
unaware that whilst asleep they are unable to smell anything and the likelihood of
being able to prevent injury by smelling smoke while asleep is not possible.
Managing Personal Affairs
The availability of personal data relating to a victim can often avoid critical delays which may adversely affect the safety of those involved.
Use the personal data form to collect data concerning yourself and your
family members, alternatively
download the
personal data form here
.
All
such information if retained within a company should be treated with the utmost confidence
and should be retained in secure conditions to be used only in the event of a personal
emergency.
It is recommended that executives and key
personnel prepare financial profiles encompassing the items in the list below. This
information should be held in safe keeping, in a place of your choice and be readily
accessible to your next of kin or partner.
Personal information
The information
suggested should cover:
-
Financial and Bank
Account details (Joint Bank accounts allow automatic access by a partner)
-
Lists of shares, bonds or
other negotiable instruments.
-
Description of: (a) Real
estate (b) Other property (c) Valuable Collections of Coins, Stamps, Antiques, Art etc.
-
Details of: (a) Insurance
Policies (b) Mortgage information (c) Information relevant to the preparation of tax
returns.
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A Will, and if
necessary a Power of Attorney should be included.
-
Birth Certificates of all
family members.
-
Recent colour photographs
of all family members.
-
Update relevant
information annually where applicable.