High school learners across the country are already dreaming of celebrating the end of their school careers. Thousands of them will be descending on party venues and holiday destinations up and down the coast to attend the various Rage parties that have been organised.
Fidelity Services Group has called for these festivities to be done safely and responsibly. Charnel Hattingh, the company’s Group Head of Marketing and Communications, says that while safety is a priority for the event organisers at many of these raves, everyone who attends should also take responsibility for their safety.
“Matrics deserve the chance to relax and celebrate. We hope that following basic safety tips, they will be able to enjoy these celebrations and have happy, positive memories at the end,” says Hattingh.
She offers these easy safety tips:
- If you are driving, make sure you consider installing a tracking app like Fidelity SecureDrive where your location is updated on the mobile applications every two seconds providing true real-time live tracking. Knowing exactly where you are means accident alerts can be received in real time resulting in faster emergency dispatching where every second counts.
- Theft alerts or panic button activations similarly will save lives when response units are dispatched without delay.
- Before leaving your accommodation for the day or night, ensure that anything valuable is locked away in a drawer or safe.
- Never carry large amounts of cash or go out wearing flashy or expensive jewellery.
- If your accommodation is a holiday house or apartment, make sure all the doors are locked, the windows are properly shut, and the alarm is activated if a system is installed.
- When out at different events and activities, be aware of your surroundings and arrange with your friends to keep an eye on each other and your belongings.
- If you are approached by a suspicious individual; walk away and report it to the closest security or the police.
- Do not accept drinks from strangers and do not leave your drinks unattended. Spiking of drinks is still rife.
- If you leave the place where you are staying tell someone where you are going and the time you expect to return. Save their number to your mobile phone or memorise the details of the person to be contacted in the event of an emergency and save them as one of your ICE (In Case of Emergency) contacts.
When it is time to return to your accommodation:
- Never leave without your friends.
- Do not accept a lift from a stranger; rather use transport provided by the event organisers.
- Driving after a few drinks is never an option. Call a cab or use event shuttles if they are available instead.
- Consider appointing a designated driver or someone who agrees not to drink and will be responsible for getting everyone home safely.
Hattingh urges parents and caregivers to have a conversation with their kids about these safety tips, to help prepare them.
“The reality is that these young men and women will be partying. Let us encourage them to do it as responsibly as possible. It may also be worth speaking to your security provider about personal safety apps that are available as well as services such as Meet and Greets to ensure peace of mind.”
