LOAD SHEDDING, POWER CUTS AND THE INCREASED LIKELIHOOD OF CRIME SURGENCY

By : Unknown

On : 16:56

In : NEWS, SAFETY ALERTS

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Once again Eskom is threatening to bring the country to it's knees with rolling blackouts and load shedding. Whatever the reason, this time a wet stockpile, no one enjoys these periods and the country as well as our businesses and lives come to a near standstill. One of the biggest problems with power cuts / load shedding and blackouts is the potential for an increase in crime! Criminals will definitely take advantage wherever they can and what better time to commit a crime than when people are vulnerable.

ENERGY SAVING TIPS

Firstly here are a few tips as advised by Eskom to save on electricity:

* If you’re not using an appliance, switch it off and pull out the plug.

 

* A geyser uses 39 percent of all household electricity; switch it off to save electricity and money.

 

* Insulate geysers and water pipes as this will help the water to stay hot for longer. Reduce the temperature setting for your geyser’s thermostat to 60ºC, and shower instead of having a bath. Energy- and water-saving shower heads use less water and electricity.

 

* Use energy-saving globes instead of incandescent bulbs.

 

* Don’t leave televisions, DVD players and other electrical equipment in standby mode - rather switch them off completely.

 

* The same can be said for plug points and adaptors that hold cellphone chargers or bedside lights.

 

* To save money in your kitchen, close fridge doors as quickly as possible when taking items out - do not leave the fridge door open for longer than necessary.

 

* Keep room temperatures between 18ºC and 22ºC. Wear warm clothes and use hot-water bottles instead of using heaters to warm your house.

 

* Reduce your pool pump’s operating time. Reset the pool pump timer to activate only for long enough to keep the pool clean.

 

 

TIPS AGAINST POTENTIAL CRIME

 

Now let's have a look at what could happen during a power cut or blackout and some tips to assist you and your family against potential crime. During a power outage, crime may increase for many reasons, for example:

 

1. Most of the traffic lights will not be functioning, and thus, there will be many more car accidents.
2. There also will be more road rage, hijacking, and maybe even looting.

3. All of these events will become the first priority of the police, and crimes against individuals will have either long police response times, or no responses at all.

In the interest of crime prevention, we must change some of their habits, at least until the power is restored. For example, we should:

1. Stay out of the city centres, CBDs, if possible, especially at night.
2. Substitute hanging bells on doorknobs to compensate for electronic burglar alarms that will soon not be working.

3. Avoid flashing any big money notes in public and dress down so as not to display any expensive jewellery that might motivate criminals to follow us home.
4. Unite with neighbours to watch each others’ backs.

5. Prepare robbers’ wallets with token and fake wealth in them, and put most of your money in money belts or in fanny packs.
6. Find a way to exercise in your houses.
7. Be especially courteous and obedient while following any lawful orders from the police who will be under great pressure and stress.

We should continue all of the crime prevention habits that we always have followed, and we also should begin practicing, at least during the power blackout, all of the crime prevention advice that, in the past, seemed to them to be too much of a bother for them to practice. In short, we need to eliminate any bad habits we have tolerated in our crime prevention behaviour.

If you or anyone you know need any assistance with any security needs during the load shedding please feel free to contact us immediately. Your safety is our concern and EC Security will be there when you need us.

FOR ALL OF YOUR SAFETY AND SECURITY NEEDS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US AT EC SECURITY AND OUR TRAINED PROFESSIONALS WILL ASSIST AND ADVISE YOU