Safety tips for visitors to Monash South Africa

The following few basic precautions should be taken to ensure that your visit is as pleasant and as safe as possible:

At the airport

Stay especially alert and watch your bags and laptop at all times. Do not let anyone but uniformed airline personnel handle or watch your bags.
Never leave your bags unattended and make use of the wrapping service at the airport for your luggage to prevent tampering with your luggage.
Watch out for staged mishaps, like someone bumping into you or spilling a drink, as it is often a ploy to divert your attention and steal your bag, luggage or passport.
Carry your purse, handbag, close to your body, or your wallet in an inside front pocket.
If possible, wear a money pouch under your clothes.
Keep a separate record of the content of checked luggage. All valuables should be kept in a bag that stays with you at all times.
Avoid displaying expensive cameras, jewellery and luggage that might draw attention. Your aim should be to blend in with the crowd not advertise.
When leaving the airport, ensure that you are not followed. If you are unsure or feel uncomfortable, dial 10111 which is the South African Police call centre and get to the nearest safest public place as quickly as possible, i.e Ultra City, petrol garage (gas station) i.e. as BP or Engen and ask for assistance.

Do not leave your luggage unattended unless it is locked away in your room.
Store valuables in the safe deposit box.
Keep your room locked at all times.
Hand the key in at the desk when you leave the hotel.
If someone knocks, check who it is before opening the door.
Make sure that luggage is only given to the hotels bell staff and a receipt is issued for stored luggage.
If you suspect that your luggage has been tampered with, immediately report it to the Hotel Manager.

Plan your route beforehand. Rather check with the hotel staff before leaving the hotel and if it is not safe, do not go out on your own, especially in the dark.
Don't stop people to ask for directions or check your map on the street.
Try not to look like a tourist by making obvious that it is your first time in the area.
It is better to explore in groups and stick to well-lit busy streets.
If you find yourself alone, try to make reference to yourself as part of the group.
Leave your valuables such as jewellery and cameras in the Hotel room as it will draw unnecessary attention to yourself.
It is not advisable to carry large sums of money around. Carry just as much money as you require for the day.
Keep your handbag and cellular phone with you and do not leave these items unattended.
Always be aware of your surrounding area and people.
Never allow young children to wander off from parents.
If you think someone is following you, take out your cell phone and pretend to make a call. Say the word police with enough volume for the person following you to hear.
If you want to call a taxi, your hotel or the nearest tourism information centre will be able to recommend a reliable service.
Avoid going out unnecessarily after hours.
A policeman or a traffic officer will be glad to direct you if you get lost

You should use the same crime prevention skills you would use when using parking lots and at your garage at home.
Make sure your rental car is in a good working order. Learn how all the windows, door locks and other equipment work before you leave the parking lot. Keep your maps and rental agreement concealed, not lying on the seat or the dashboard where they can be seen by others.
Keep car doors locked while you are driving.
Store luggage in the car's boot (trunk) where it is out of sight.
If your car is bumped by another car, think before you get out. If you are in doubt or feel uncomfortable, signal to the other driver to follow you to a nearby police station or a busy, well-lighted area where it is safe to get out. Do not leave your handbag, cellphone or any valuables on the car seat or in the back where it is visible.
Always plan your route in advance.

If in doubt about the safety of an area, phone a police station for advice.