Most ordinary journeys include moments when our attention slips. We check our phones while walking, search for keys outside a gate, or relax as we approach home.

These routine transitions can leave us less aware of what is happening around us. Personal safety is not about expecting danger everywhere. It is about recognising vulnerable moments and knowing what to do when something feels wrong.

Recent national crime data shows why these habits matter. Statistics South Africa estimated that about 1.2 million people experienced theft of personal property during 2025/26, while approximately 459,000 experienced street robbery. Many incidents went unreported to the police.

Although SAPS recorded encouraging reductions in several serious crime categories during the first quarter of 2026/27, crime remains a daily concern in communities across the country. Carjackings decreased by 18.2% compared with the same period a year earlier, but the risk has not disappeared.

Here are five everyday moments when a little extra awareness can make a meaningful difference.

1. Before leaving home

Personal safety starts before the journey begins.

Plan your route, particularly when travelling somewhere unfamiliar. Check your fuel level, charge your phone, and make sure someone you trust knows where you are going if you're travelling alone or after dark.

Avoid announcing your absence publicly on social media. Holiday photos and location updates can show your home is unoccupied, especially when you share posts in real time.

Keep important numbers saved on your phone, but also write them down somewhere accessible. A dead battery or a damaged phone shouldn't leave you without a way to get help.

2. When walking through public spaces

Phones, headphones and bags can divide our attention at exactly the wrong moment.

When walking through a car park, shopping area or transport hub:

• Keep your phone out of sight when it is not needed.
• Avoid displaying cash or expensive belongings.
• Carry your bag securely and keep it closed.
• Stay in well-lit areas where other people are present.
• Notice anyone who appears to be watching or following you.
• Have your keys ready before reaching your car or gate.

If a place or person makes you uncomfortable, don't stay just because you are worried about appearing rude. Move towards a busy shop, security point, police station or another safer location.

3. When driving or arriving home

Driveways, gates, and parking areas deserve particular attention because people often slow down, stop, or get distracted while opening an entrance.

As you approach home, look for unfamiliar vehicles or people nearby. If something appears wrong, continue driving and contact security or the police from a safe location.

If you suspect that a vehicle is following you, do not drive directly home. Head towards a police station or another busy, secure place and call for assistance. SAPS also warns motorists to be cautious when strangers claim something is wrong with their vehicle or after a suspicious minor collision, as criminals may use these situations to make a driver stop. 

Once parked, don't rely solely on the remote's sound. Physically check that the doors and boot have locked before walking away. Criminals can use signal-jamming devices to prevent some vehicles from locking.

4. When using an ATM

An ATM transaction may take only a minute, but it involves your card, PIN and money.

Before using the machine, look around. If someone stands unusually close, watches transactions, or offers unsolicited help, leave and use another ATM.

Remember to:

• Shield the keypad when entering your PIN.
• Never allow a stranger to handle your card.
• Decline help from anyone who approaches you.
• Avoid counting cash while standing at the ATM.
• Cancel your card immediately if the machine retains it unexpectedly.
• Contact your bank through its official number, not a number supplied by a stranger.

SABRIC advises customers to remain cautious around people who claim that an ATM requires a special procedure or offer help with a supposedly faulty machine. 

5. During a robbery or hijacking

No possession is worth risking your life for.

If an offender has a weapon, avoid sudden movements, arguing, or trying to overpower them. Keep your hands visible, follow instructions as calmly as possible and prioritise getting yourself and others away safely.

Try to observe useful details only if you can do so without increasing the danger. Once safe, contact the police and your bank, insurer or tracking company where relevant.

Do not pursue the offender yourself.

Know the right number to call.

Keep these national emergency numbers accessible:

• 10111: SAPS emergency assistance.
• 112: Emergency services from a mobile phone.
• 08600 10111: Crime Stop for anonymous information about criminal activity.

Crime Stop is intended for anonymous tip-offs. Use 10111 or 112 if an incident is happening and you need urgent assistance.

The Bottom Line

Personal safety does not require living in constant fear. It means staying alert during vulnerable moments, trusting your instincts and having a simple plan for leaving an uncomfortable situation.

Possessions can be replaced. During any confrontation, your priority should be getting yourself and those with you to safety.