[Posted: June 2012] It is human nature to believe that the worst will never happen, but all you need to do is open a newspaper
to realise that tragedy strikes ordinary people every day. Are you doing everything you can to protect your family?
Take a refresher course with our family safety tips.

Emergency Numbers
Keep a list of emergency numbers on the fridge and save them on everybody’s cell phones.
Key emergency contact numbers in South Africa include:

• Nationwide emergency police response: 10111 or your local police station
• Ambulances: 10177 OR Netcare 911: 082 911
• Fire: 10111
• Poison and Drug Overdose: 0800 33 3444

Don’t forget to include contact details for your local security company if you have one.

Fire
Winter or summer, fire is always a risk in any household:

• Install a fire or smoke alarm – test it at least once a year
• Keep a fire extinguisher and a fire blanket in your kitchen
• Put a fire plan in place: make sure your family knows exactly what to do and where to go in case of a fire in the home
• If you are using gas, oil or coal burning stoves, light etc make sure that the room is properly ventilated
• If you burn an open fire make sure that you use a fire guard
• Always turn off heaters before you go to bed
• Never leave naked flames unattended (braais, fire or candles)

Travel
Do you know that air travel is safer than road travel? Keep your family safe on our roads at all times.

• Whether you are driving to work or to the coast make sure you have emergency roadside assistance 
• Advanced driving courses will teach you how to handle a vehicle in emergency situations and are recommended for all drivers
• Hijacking is an ever-present danger on our roads. The SAPS website has a comprehensive list of hijacking ‘do’s and don’ts’ 
  Make sure the whole family knows not only how to avoid hijackings but what to do in case of a hijacking
• Service your car regularly and monitor your tyres for wear
• Buckle up! According to Arrive Alive, using a seatbelt reduces the probability of death
  by 40 – 50% for drivers and 25% for passengers in back seats

Medical Emergencies
All adults and caregivers should attend first aid courses. Children as young as seven can also start learning the basics of first aid.

Disablement Cover
And finally, give your family the financial protection they will need if you or your partner are ever injured and unable to work.
Disablement cover from 1Lifedirect will pay out if you are ever medically unfit to work, either at your own or at another suited occupation.
Did you know that you can add up to R4 million disablement cover to your 1Lifedirect life insurance policy?