Tips for a safer and more secure 2025

The start of a new year is the perfect opportunity to reflect on the past and set meaningful goals for the coming months.
January is a time for new beginnings and rethinking our approach to safety and security in our daily lives.

“This is an ideal time to evaluate your daily routines and think about how you can make your life safer and more secure in 2025,” says Charnel Hattingh, group director of communications and marketing at Fidelity ADT.

She recommends 10 simple steps for creating your sure-fire New Year’s resolutions:
• Join a suburban WhatsApp group. This is an easy way to stay up to date with trends in your suburb and street and get help in an emergency.

All security companies and CPF members in the region are in these groups and can respond quickly to suspicious activity or emergencies.

• Get to know your neighbors. Safer suburbs start with communication between residents. Your neighbors can keep an eye on your property when you are out or at work, and vice versa, and can also easily spot if something is out of place if they know your daily routine.

• Invest in more outdoor security systems. Good home security starts with a secure perimeter, which must be supported by adequate security on the actual property (garden, entertainment areas, garden shed). Electric fences, outdoor beams, video surveillance and sensor lights are proven deterrents.

• Be more vigilant. Talk to the family about things like leaving and arriving home, locking doors and security gates, being wary of strangers at the gate, and knowing what to do in an emergency. Everyone should know how to quickly contact their security company and the police by phone or using the alarm system and panic buttons.

• Have a security assessment carried out. Consulting with a security expert can help you decide which security fits your lifestyle and living spaces.

Technology has evolved tremendously to complement modern homes and lifestyles while keeping criminals out and giving you the right help when you need it most. Options that may have been prohibitively expensive a few years ago are now completely affordable.

• Learn basic self-defense. Enroll in a self-defense class to build confidence and learn techniques that can help you in dangerous situations.

• Practice safe driving. Avoid distracted driving, obey speed limits and never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• Create an emergency plan. Design and practice an emergency plan with your family that includes evacuation routes and meeting points in the event of a fire, natural disaster, or other emergency. Make sure you have a well-stocked first aid kit at home, in your car and at work. Learn basic first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

• Stay physically fit. Regular exercise can improve your overall health and make you more capable of dealing with physical challenges or emergencies.

• Limit sharing of personal information online. Be careful about the information you share on social media and other online platforms to protect your privacy and avoid identity theft.

“Start the year with a fresh, new – and safe – plan. Look for ways to live more safely and think about things that can make your loved ones safer. “That’s exactly the kind of New Year’s resolution we should all be thinking about,” says Hattingh.