We live in a country where the crime rate is high and horror stories are on many newspaper front pages. We read of guard dogs that are poisoned or people lured away from home by means of some elaborate scheme.

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Sometimes there is just nothing you can do to prevent being the target of a crime, but usually there is quite a bit you can do in order not to attract the attention of the casual opportunistic criminal.

To people living in the big cities, much of the following is already second nature. Just see it as a refresher course. And remember, you need to slip up just once to become a target. Be on your guard.

Be ATM-wise. Don't draw large sums of cash in view of strangers. Don't get involved in conversations with anyone at ATMs – a request for assistance is often a prelude to being robbed. Avoid deserted ATMs at night and try not to go alone to an ATM machine. Never count money in the street. It might be worth your while to drive around until you find one where there is a security guard on duty. ATMs inside bank buildings or in shops are much safer than ones on the streets.

Hide your briefcase. Driving around with a wallet or a briefcase on the passenger seat is inviting a smash-and-grab incident. Put it out of sight, either in the boot or under the seat. The same goes for handbags or shopping bags.

Lock your car. Whether you're in it or not, it is a good idea always to keep the doors locked and windows closed. Most city dwellers do this automatically, but if you're visiting from out of town, you might not realise how crucial this is. It has been known to happen that strangers get into cars at traffic lights or nab things out of unlocked cars - even if you have only stopped for two minutes to post a letter. Leave nothing in your car, empty the cubbyhole and leave it open so that prospective robbers can see there's nothing in there.

Invest in armed response. A sign in front of your house naming your alarm company and armed response company will put off many a prospective burglar. There are those who are expert enough to circumvent any security system, but this does not include the chancers wandering around the neighbourhood. Test your alarm regularly and make sure that the telephone or radio connection to the security company is working properly.

Know where your kids are. You must be able to reach them or know where they are at all times. Teach them not to go anywhere else without telling you first. Also drill them in not accepting lifts or sweets from strangers and to be home before dark. They need to know they can phone you in any crisis. If they have cellphones, drill it into them that these should never be switched off.

Don't employ anyone off the street. OK, your gardener's been on leave for three weeks and the place is a jungle, so no wonder you're tempted by the jobseeker at the gate. Just don't do it. Only take people who have come through personal recommendation or who have contactable references. It's hard on honest people who are really just trying to make a living, but you simply cannot take the chance. Not even in small towns.

Beware of parking garages. Yes, they are safer than open air parking lots or street parking, but there are also opportunities for hijackers, rapists or bagsnatchers to lurk behind pillars or down stairwells. Especially late at night, parking garages can be frightening places. Try never to go there alone. Ask the security guard to accompany you if there is one.

Be aware of your surroundings. Get into the habit of checking who is in your vicinity when you are walking in the street. Or when you get home at night. If there are unknown people lurking in your street, drive past, but don't open your gates while they are still there. Wait until the street is clear, and then go into your home. Be aware of strangers in the vicinity. And don't talk on your cellphone in the street if at all possible.

Things that go bump in the night. If you hear a noise in the house at night, for heaven's sake don't investigate on your own. Get out if you can and summon help. A cellphone next to your bed is always a good idea, especially if you predial the emergency number. Have a portable panic button at hand. Security gates on your bedroom door may also be an idea, especially if you live in a high-crime area, or on a farm or smallholding.

All that glitters. Avoid wearing expensive jewellery when in public places such as shopping centres. Like very expensive watches or cellphones, it will make you a target of muggers. In short, hide the bling. Really fancy cars can also attract unwanted attention.

Use your security devices. There's no point in having security gates or fancy doors and not locking them. Or having perimeter alarms and not switching them on. Once you have these things, use them. Many a burglar simply wanders in through an open kitchen door. Just because the door is not visible from the street, doesn't mean it's safe to leave it open.

(Susan Erasmus, Health24, updated February 2010)

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	Fear 2010/02/26 12:40:33 PM I so hate having to always be on the lookout. I am sure it causes huge stress in everyone's life. I was in the UK recently and although the weather was incredible crappy, I could walk home by myself at eleven at night without being scared. - Shelagh   Small towns 2010/02/26 12:46:48 PM I live in a small coastal town and when I read an article like this, I am so happy that I moved here. We have just about zero crime. OK, also few decent shops, no cinema, but we can live our lives without having to look over our shoulders the whole time. - Anonymous   Safety in a retirement village 2010/02/26 12:49:48 PM My mom recently moved into one of these and now at last I can stop worrying about her safety. - Barry   Bump in the night 2010/02/26 01:58:41 PM Haha! Run out of the house at night if you hear a noise, she says. What a joke! Nowhere do I see the best recommendation of all: Have a gun on your nightstand. Then if you hear a noise in the middle of the night, maybe it can be the INTRUDER who has to run out of your house instead of yourself! - Ant   To Ant 2010/02/26 02:05:54 PM If there's an intruder in the house and I don't have a gun, I certainly would rather run to the neighbours than take someone on who might be armed. I've been there. - Gregory   Get out 2010/02/26 02:26:46 PM Get away and save your life - there's no point in trying to be brave and losing it anyway. - Andrew   bling 2010/02/26 02:49:08 PM Hmm, maybe Malema should take note. Then I guess no one would care if he was a victim with all the bling he wears, serve him right!! - Anonymous   SA today 2010/02/26 02:51:12 PM I am better relaxed at work than at home. Atleast I dont hv to look around windows, hv my pistol on me and the panic button in my pocket. I stay in a " secure-complex"  but has had a break in while i'm at home. No different from a standalone house I used to have! - Mpho   The solution 2010/02/26 03:01:21 PM I moved to an area which is really not fancy. The houses need paint etc. This is the solution. No burglar in his right mind would come looking for stuff to steal here. And all my neighbours have really big dogs. For the first time in years I feel safe. Lived here for 3 years now and not a single incident. - Walter   Crime 2010/02/26 03:16:49 PM It is a war zone out here and people do not realise it& mdash -It will not improve.— More people are out of work and more will follow— We need to face reality – Be alert!! - Paul Bethke
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