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Personal Safety · 4 min read
What to Do If You Arrive Home and Something Looks Wrong
A simple decision guide for an open gate, broken window, unfamiliar vehicle or other sign that your property may not be safe to enter.
If the scene looks wrong, treat uncertainty as a reason to stay out rather than a reason to investigate alone.
Do not enter to “check quickly”
- Stay in a safe position away from the property.
- Do not block an exit route or approach unknown people.
- Contact your security provider or SAPS as appropriate and give a clear description of what you can see.
Preserve useful information
- Note vehicles, clothing, direction of travel and other visible details without approaching.
- Avoid touching doors, windows or items that may be relevant to an investigation.
- If safe, keep CCTV recordings from the relevant time period from being overwritten.
After the scene is safe
- Review how entry may have occurred.
- Repair the immediate vulnerability.
- Check alarm, camera and perimeter systems before returning to normal routines.
Related S2 Tech services
General safety guidance cannot account for every situation. Prioritise immediate personal safety and contact the appropriate emergency or security service when necessary.