Below are some simple tips to help you ensure that you and your family enjoy a safe and secure holiday.

1. Plan your itinerary in advance and give a copy to a friend or trusted neighbour who is staying home. The itinerary should include your accommodation information, travel schedule, and the contact information for each person in your family. If something should happen, your friend or neighbour will know how to reach you.
2. Create the impression your house is occupied by using a time switch for a light to go on at night. Ensure the time switch has its own built-in rechargeable battery to maintain the real time when there is a power failure.
3. Test your alarm system, electric fencing, locks, etc., leaving enough time to repair any issues before you go. Ensure your electronic security systems are connected to back-up batteries to remain active during load-shedding.
4. Cancel newspapers and other regular deliveries.
5. Ask a family member or friend to clear your letterbox regularly.
6. Never tell strangers where you are staying, how long you’re staying there, or what you’re doing on vacation. While someone may ask well-meaning questions, not everyone has your best interests at heart.
7. Do not share your current or planned locations on social media. This includes locations easily identifiable in photos.
8. Never let family members wander off alone. Use the buddy system when you’re not engaged in family activates. Plan when and where you’ll meet up even if each person has a cell phone.
9. Download a family tracking App and link all family member’s phones.
10. Discuss personal safety with each family member.
11. Make sure that young children are always under close and trusted adult supervision. Ensure that they know the name, address and contact number of their parents and who they should approach if they get lost.
12. It is critical that children are taught what to do if a stranger approaches them or tries to lure them away from a safe area.
13. Know where you are going, ensure you know the safest way to get there and ensure your GPS devices are set to avoid dangerous or high-risk areas.
14. No matter where you are or who you deal with, you should always have the presence of mind to identify potentially hostile situations. Maintain your situational awareness by:
    • Making sure that you remain vigilant, aware of your surroundings and have a plan to deal with adverse events.
    • Focusing your attention on your environment.
    • Looking out for odd or threatening behaviour.
    • Knowing the location of security personnel.
    • Identifying nearest exits and stairwells.
    • Taking note of unattended packages or bags.
    • Noting the locations of alarm pull stations.

Remember that in any emergency situation, you should remain calm, move away from the danger, move with urgency and purpose, find a safe place and call for assistance.

FOR ANY EMERGENCY, SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY OR POTENTIAL THREATS SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO THE JEWISH COMMUNITY
OR JEWISH INSTALLATIONS, CONTACT THE CSO ON

086 18 000 18