LIFESTYLE NEWS - The year is rapidly drawing to a close and families are making holiday plans. What a joy to be able to make plans again, without restrictions, and travel to special occasions to celebrate with friends and family.

In the rush of wrapping up at work and putting the final touches to the events of the season ahead, Fidelity Services Group reiterates the importance of pausing to include safety and security in your planning.

“December is a time for family and relaxation but, unfortunately, also a time in which seasonal crimes spike. This is why it is important to think about keeping your family and guests safe if you are planning to host a party or special function.

“No matter the size or venue of your gathering, every event has one thing in common – people. And, where there is a crowd there is an opportunity for criminals,” says CEO of Fidelity Services Group Wahl Bartmann.

“Even if not every detail goes to plan on your special day, whether it be a celebration at home or an office party, the one thing you can control is to ensure it is safe and secure for your guests. Casual guarding is a good first step.”

Bartmann explains that you can hire a security officer to keep an eye on safe access to the event for invited guests, keep an eye on your guests’ vehicles and patrol your property for the duration of the function.

“Having a security officer on duty is added peace of mind so that you can enjoy the party without worrying about what if this or the next thing goes wrong. It will also be a relief for guests when they arrive to be greeted by a security officer who is there to look after them and their possessions.

“In addition, casual guarding staff are trained to recognise suspicious persons and activity and will report these to the monitoring centre for investigation. Fidelity officers are in direct contact with our monitoring centre and will get immediate armed response back-up if needed,” he says.

If you are not using the services of a security officer, these tips must be kept in mind:

1. Never leave the gate open until all the guests have arrived. An open gate is an open invitation to criminals!
2. Ensure your guests can park their vehicles securely; not in the street. Check with each guest that they have locked their cars and put all valuables out of sight.
3. If the event is at night, put outside lighting on and make sure sensor lights are working as they should.
4. Once everyone has arrived, activate electric fencing and outdoor beams in areas you are not using.
5. Many people tend to put their dogs in another area so as not to inconvenience guests, but this is not a good idea. Dogs are a good early alarm system to strangers at the gate or on the property, so make the pooches part of the party – and if they bark incessantly don’t ignore this.
6. The host should carry a remote panic button with them at all times, whether having the party indoors or outside.

Bartmann concludes by adding that people attending functions at restaurants and the like need to take responsibility for their own safety.

His 6 tips for a safe party are:

1. Look after your personal belongings at all times.
2. If you see strangers among your group who seem to be trying to blend in, report this to the establishment’s security.
3. Check where emergency exits are when you arrive.
4. Stay with your group.
5. Minimise alcohol intake so as to remain alert to your surroundings.
6. It is always safest to arrange a lift home.

“Everyone is looking forward to a break over December. Let yours be one to remember for all the right reasons and not marred by some form of criminal activity. Your best defence is vigilance and making safety and security part of your planning, every step of the way,” he says.

'We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news'