Researchers say the very first Mother’s Day was commemorated in the USA back in 1908, when a local woman organised a day to honour her mother. Six years later, the US Congress voted to officially recognise the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. A century later, it is a day commemorated around the world.
Charnel Hattingh, Head of Marketing and Communications at armed response company Fidelity ADT, says this day plays an important role and should be used as an opportunity to honour the many women that have played a mothering role in our lives. One way of doing it, she adds, is by focusing on their safety and security and offering them the best protection possible.
“Any opportunity to focus on personal safety should be used. We can give our mothers a wonderful present by making sure we empower them with the skills and knowledge they need to be safe from crime,” says Hattingh.
Criminals often see women as vulnerable and easy targets. Hattingh recommends remaining vigilant and to never let one’s guard down so as to avoid becoming a crime statistic. The key to safety is always to err on the side of caution.
She offers the following pointers:
- Of utmost importance is to trust your instincts. Women have great intuition and should listen to their instincts. If someone or something makes you feel uneasy, avoid the individual and leave the area
- Make contact with your private security service provider and asking them if they offer a mobile panic alarm service, which could be downloaded to your mobile phone
- Tell someone where you are going and the time you expect to return. Save to your mobile phone or memorise the details of the person to be contacted in the event of an emergency
- Be aware of people around you when heading to your vehicle, especially at places such as shopping centres, petrol stations, and the likes. Ensure that you take a moment to check the street before pulling into a driveway, be it your own or a friend’s
- If you are driving, the first thing to do once you are inside your vehicle is to ensure that all the doors are locked. Never drive with a handbag or any other valuable items on a seat or in the view of anyone looking into your vehicle from the outside. Try and make your car a mobile-free zone so you can concentrate on your surrounds and keeping you and your family safe
“I encourage women to not only use these tips, but to share them with family and friends. In this way we can help make a positive difference in the fight against crime and keep our women safe." says Hattingh.
