A simple safety plan for everyday trips in South Africa

Start with the journey home

A trip to the shops or an evening with friends often starts with a destination. Give the return journey the same attention: how will you leave, where will you meet your transport, and will the route still be suitable after dark?

SAPS advises choosing busy, well-lit streets and walking with others where possible. Avoid displaying valuables. If your plans involve an unfamiliar area, ask a reliable local contact about the route before setting out.

Sources: SAPS: Personal safety tips · City of Cape Town: General safety tips for visitors

Make the check-in specific

Let a trusted person know where you are going and roughly when you expect to return. SAPS recommends sharing those plans with someone, while being careful about announcing an absence publicly on social media.

Make that advice easy to use: agree on a simple arrival message, and update the person if your plans change. Choose a contact you are comfortable sharing your whereabouts with. A missed check-in is a reason to make contact and assess the situation, not proof that an emergency has happened.

Sources: SAPS: Personal safety tips

Keep the last few minutes of the trip in mind

The walk from a venue to your car or transport is part of the journey. Put your phone away when you do not need it and keep your attention on your surroundings. Headphones can make that harder, as the City of Cape Town notes in its visitor-safety guidance.

If you are driving, have your keys ready, choose a well-lit parking area at night, keep valuables out of view and check that your car has actually locked. These are useful habits to plan before you are carrying shopping bags or trying to find your way.

Sources: City of Cape Town: General safety tips for visitors

Save the South African emergency numbers

The Western Cape Government lists these emergency contacts. Save them clearly, and check the relevant municipality for local fire and rescue numbers rather than assuming every local number works nationwide.

• 112: emergency assistance from a mobile phone.
• 10111: police emergencies.
• 10177: ambulance assistance.
• When calling, give your location, nearby landmarks, what happened and a callback number. Answer the operator’s questions as clearly as you can.
• Use emergency lines for genuine emergencies. Do not call them to test your phone or a personal alarm.

Sources: Western Cape Government: Know who you can call in an emergency · SAPS: 10111 emergency call centres

Know the role of a personal alarm

An AlarMe pull-pin personal alarm is intended to make a sound that draws attention. It is not a monitored emergency service: activating it does not automatically call the police, send your location or arrange a response.

No personal alarm can guarantee that someone will hear it, intervene or prevent harm. If you choose to carry one, follow the supplied operating, maintenance and testing instructions. Learn how to activate and stop it before you need it, and avoid sounding it close to anyone’s ears.

Keep emergency contacts and a practical journey plan alongside any device you carry. If you need urgent help, contact the appropriate emergency service when it is safe to do so.

Your before-you-leave check

Take a moment to check your route home, your trusted contact and your saved emergency numbers. If you carry an alarm, check it according to its instructions. Keep the routine simple enough to use on an ordinary day.

These suggestions offer options, not obligations or a promise of protection. Responsibility for a crime always lies with the person who commits it. This article is general information, not emergency assistance.

Common questions

Which emergency number can I call from a mobile phone in South Africa?

112 is the mobile emergency number. You can also call 10111 for a police emergency or 10177 for an ambulance. Give the operator your location and explain what help is needed.

Does activating an AlarMe personal alarm call the police?

No. The AlarMe pull-pin alarm makes a sound intended to draw attention. It does not automatically contact the police, share your location or dispatch help.

Can a personal alarm guarantee my safety?

No. An alarm cannot guarantee that someone will hear it, respond or prevent harm. Understand its limits and keep a practical journey plan and emergency contacts available.