How to make 2026 the safest year yet: Here are 10 tips for a secure future

As we approach the New Year, homeowners, businesses, and communities are encouraged to include safety-related resolutions in their 2026 plans.

December is a time for rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation as well as for thinking back on the previous year and planning how to live a safer and better life in the coming one.

“This is the perfect opportunity to think about the ways you go about your daily routines and to include steps that make your life more secure,” says Charnel Hattingh, Group Head of Marketing and Communications at Fidelity Services Group.

Hattingh recommends ten easy steps to include in your New Year’s safety resolutions:

1. Join a suburb/community WhatsApp group

   These groups keep you informed about trends and incidents in your area. Security companies and CPF members actively monitor them and can respond quickly to suspicious activity or emergencies

2. Get to know your neighbours

   Stronger community ties lead to safer suburbs. Neighbours who know each other’s routines can easily spot unusual activity and keep an eye on one another’s properties

3. Invest in outdoor security systems

   Good home security starts with your perimeter. Electric fencing, outdoor beams, CCTV cameras, and sensor lights act as strong deterrents and help secure gardens, entertainment areas, and outbuildings

4. Be more vigilant

   Talk to your family about safe habits, such as securing doors, being alert when arriving or leaving home, and dealing with strangers at the gate. Ensure everyone knows how to contact your security company and the police, whether via phone, alarm system, or panic buttons

5. Have a professional security assessment done

   Security experts can help identify vulnerabilities and recommend solutions that fit your lifestyle. Modern technology has become more accessible and affordable, offering effective protection tailored to your needs

6. Learn basic self-defence

   Enrolling in a self-defence class builds confidence and equips you with skills that may help in dangerous situations

7. Practice safe driving

   Commit to staying alert on the road, avoiding distractions, obeying speed limits, and never driving under the influence

8. Create an emergency plan

   Develop and practice a family emergency plan that includes evacuation routes and meeting points. Keep first-aid kits at home, work, and in your car, and ensure you know basic first aid and CPR

9. Stay physically fit

   Regular exercise boosts overall health and can improve your ability to respond in a crisis

10. Limit sharing personal information online

    Be cautious about what you post on social media to protect your privacy and reduce the risk of identity theft.

“Start the year on a fresh and safe slate. Look for ways to live more securely and consider steps that help protect the people you care about most. These are exactly the kinds of resolutions we should all be considering,” concludes Hattingh.