Safety and security tips for your holiday travels

As published on Rekord East:

Specialised Security Services owner Mike Bolhuis provides expert advice for a safe holiday.

By Karl-Lyle Marsh

With South Africans just about packing their bags to go on holiday after a stressful year, safety and security expert Mike Bolhuis has urged citizens to prioritise their safety.

Bolhuis has released a detailed guide on holiday destination safety.

This focuses mainly on procedures to follow before and after reaching your destination to ensure a safe holiday experience.

Booking your accommodation:

It is important to do your research before deciding on where you will be staying. Bolhuis recommends that accommodation only be booked through a reliable organisation. Furthermore, read up on reviews online and on social media.

As a safety precaution, request a room close to the fire escape with a safe fitted and not close to a public road. Before deciding on accommodation ask about access control, safe parking, physical security personnel and CCTV cameras.

Arrival:

Plan your trip so that you do not arrive after dark so that you can take in your surroundings. Don’t leave your car unattended during check in and don’t let a stranger assist in offloading your belongings.

It is also important to find out who will have access to your room during your stay.

The rooms:

Ensure all lights in the room are working and that the door has a manual locking system (slide bolt) on the inside. Bolhuis also recommends that the fire extinguisher and medical kit are easily accessible.

It is also important to familiarise yourself with the emergency protocols in the event of an emergency and always hang the “do not disturb” sign when the room is empty.

Emergency services:

Taking time to identify emergency services in the area could be the difference between life and death.

Keeping the contact details of all emergency services close by and taking a drive to familiarise yourself with the routes to the closest emergency service centres are essential. Potential crime hotspots and suspicious locations can also be identified on this drive.

General:

Although the excitement of being on vacation can be overwhelming it is important to stay vigilant.

Be wary of strangers asking for or offering assistance. Valuable items should not be left lying around in your car or room and avoid carrying large amounts of cash on your person.

By following the advice provided by Bolhuis a safe and secure holiday can easily be attained.