| 13. |
SAFETY DRILLS |
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| 13.1. |
Answering the door |
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| 13.1.1 |
An adult or responsible person should always answer the door. |
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| 13.1.2. |
Identify the person on the outside (before opening) by looking through the peephole or a window or by means of voice recognition.
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| 13.1.3. |
Do not allow entry until the person has been identified positively.
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| 13.1.4. |
Do not assume persons dressed in uniform or persons that are well-dressed can be trusted.
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| 13.1.5. |
Do not remain standing in the doorway. Stand to one side.
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| 13.1.6. |
Devise a method or a device (a letter flap or an opening under the door) for receiving documents without opening the door.
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| 13.1.7. |
Make sure the safety chain is secured properly while establishing the person’s identity.
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| 13.1.8. |
When in doubt after hearing a heart-rending or convincing story, DO NOT OPENTHE DOOR TO A STRANGER!
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| 13.2. |
Forced entry, rape or assault
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| 13.2.1. |
Sound the alarm.
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| 13.2.2. |
Summon help if possible.
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| 13.2.3. |
Stay calm, think logically, and think ahead.
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| 13.2.4. |
Note as many details as possible about the
person(s) appearance. |
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| 13.2.5. |
Do not provoke or agitate the intruder. |
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| 13.2.6. |
Avoid actions that could provoke more violent reaction from the intruder. |
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| 13.2.7. |
Do not go looking for the intruder. Take up a position and let the intruder walk past you. Sit on the ground, for example.
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| 13.2.8. |
Confront and/or apprehend the intruder only if you can take absolute control of the situation.
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| 13.2.9. |
Be careful not to disturb evidence.
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| 13.2.10. |
Do not take the law into your own hands.
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| 13.2.11. |
Do not exceed the limits of self-defence.
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| 13.2.12. |
Hand over the apprehended person to the SAPS as soon as possible.
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| 13.3. |
Arriving back home
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| 13.3.1. |
When a husband and wife arrive back at the farm in the night, the wife should drive the vehicle up to the gate. The vehicles two-way radio must be switched on, and the headlights switched off. If possible, the area should be scanned with a hand-held spotlight before the husband gets out of the vehicle.
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| 13.3.2. |
The husband should open the gate after observing the surroundings.
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| 13.3.3. |
The vehicle’s lights should remain switched off when being driven through the gate.
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| 13.3.4. |
The husband should observe the house and yard for anything unusual before he approaches the homestead. |
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| 13.3.5. |
The vehicle should be parked in a position that will enable easy escape. |
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| 13.3.6. |
After they have climbed out of the vehicle they must approach the house cautiously. |
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| 13.3.7. |
The engine must be left running. The husband must secure the house and its surroundings.
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| 13.3.8. |
They must be sure that the house and its surroundings are safe before entering.
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| 13.3.9. |
Once the house is considered safe, the rest of the family can go inside, and the vehicle can be parked in the garage.
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| 13.3.10. |
REMEMBER: Avoid travelling alone.
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| 13.3.11. |
If something unusual is noticed, the family members should not investigate it themselves. Instead, they should summon help or escape.
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| 13.4. |
Armed attacks
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| 13.4.1. |
Always keep neighbours, the SAPS or the Commando informed of your basic particulars and your movements.
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| 13.4.2. |
Raise the alarm and call the neighbours for help.
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| 13.4.3. |
Take the children to the most secure place in the house.
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| 13.4.4. |
Stand against the walls and not against closed doors or windows. |
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| 13.4.5. |
Return fire if possible. |
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| 13.4.6. |
Give resistance until help arrives. |
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| 13.5. |
The breakdown of a vehicle
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| 13.5.1. |
Try to establish what is wrong with the vehicle.
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| 13.5.2. |
Summon help (use a cellular phone or citizen band radio).
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| 13.5.3. |
Try to repair the vehicle if possible.
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| 13.5.4. |
Do not remain in the car when waiting for help, but keep the vehicle in view. |
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| 13.5.5. |
Lock the vehicle and wait for assistance. |
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| 13.5.6. |
Find shelter a distance away from where the vehicle can be observed. |
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| 13.5.7. |
Every vehicle must have basic tools such as a lifting-jack, screwdrivers and pliers.
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