13. Safety Drills
13.1 Answering the door
13.1.1 An adult or responsible person should always answer the door.
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.
13.1.3 Do not allow entry until the person has been identified positively.
13.1.4 Do not assume persons dressed in uniform or persons that are well-dressed can be trusted.
13.1.5 Do not remain standing in the doorway. Stand to one side.
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.
13.1.7 Make sure the safety chain is secured properly while establishing the person’s identity.
13.1.8 When in doubt after hearing a heart-rending or convincing story, DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR TO A STRANGER!
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13.2 Forced entry, rape or assault
13.2.1 Sound the alarm.
13.2.2 Summon help if possible.
13.2.3 Stay calm, think logically, and think ahead.
13.2.4 Note as many details as possible about the
person(s) appearance.
13.2.5 Do not provoke or agitate the intruder.
13.2.6 Avoid actions that could provoke more violent reaction from the intruder.
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.
13.2.8 Confront and/or apprehend the intruder only if you can take absolute control of the situation.
13.2.9 Be careful not to disturb evidence.
13.2.10 Do not take the law into your own hands.
13.2.11 Do not exceed the limits of self-defence.
13.2.12 Hand over the apprehended person to the SAPS as soon as possible.
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13.3 Arriving back home
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.
13.3.2 The husband should open the gate after observing the surroundings.
13.3.3 The vehicle’s lights should remain switched off when being driven through the gate.
13.3.4 The husband should observe the house and yard for anything unusual before he approaches the homestead.
13.3.5 The vehicle should be parked in a position that will enable easy escape.
13.3.6 After they have climbed out of the vehicle they must approach the house cautiously.
13.3.7 The engine must be left running. The husband must secure the house and its surroundings.
13.3.8 They must be sure that the house and its surroundings are safe before entering.
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.
13.3.10 REMEMBER: Avoid travelling alone.
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
13.4.1 Always keep neighbours, the SAPS or the Commando informed of your basic particulars and your movements.
13.4.2 Raise the alarm and call the neighbours for help.
13.4.3 Take the children to the most secure place in the house.
13.4.4 Stand against the walls and not against closed doors or windows.
13.4.5 Return fire if possible.
13.4.6 Give resistance until help arrives.
13.5 The breakdown of a vehicle
13.5.1 Try to establish what is wrong with the vehicle.
13.5.2 Summon help (use a cellular phone or citizen band radio).
13.5.3 Try to repair the vehicle if possible.
13.5.4 Do not remain in the car when waiting for help, but keep the vehicle in view.
13.5.5 Lock the vehicle and wait for assistance.
13.5.6 Find shelter a distance away from where the vehicle can be observed.
13.5.7 Every vehicle must have basic tools such as a lifting-jack, screwdrivers and pliers.
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