Safety Tips for the Festive Season

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Year 2016 is gradually coming to a close. The resolutions, goals set, the achievements and the failures  all comprise of the 2016 experience.

Plans roll in for the festive season from shopping, friends/family visits to traveling. Now, This is the period where some people's focus is to cause harm to others in a bid to "package" themselves for the merriment of the season.

Here are some security tips to adopt to be vigilant and hopefully stay free of harm during this period.

(These security tips are categorized based on activities)

1. Personal Security

• Keep a low profile and be alert to developments in your environment.
• Avoid known crime-prone areas .
• Avoid routine pattern of movements and late night outings. The more predictable your movements and schedules are, to and from places of leisure, entertainment, worship, shopping, schooling, the easier it is for a kidnapper to plan and execute your abduction.
• Avoid undue exposure, inclusive of your family members.
• Save emergency numbers on your phone with speed dial for easy call in an emergency.
• Regularly check the security around your home and/or business premise

    2. Financial Transactions

• Keep all information concerning financial transactions strictly confidential – do not discuss in the open.
• Avoid carrying large sums of cash (Go Cashlite), do not carry bags or packages that seems attractive to call unwanted attention.
• Avoid physical transactions that require large sums of cash – use cheques and electronic money transfers(Nigerian banks have gone mobile now).
• Use ATMs only in safe and well lit places and not late at night.

     3. Travel Security

• Always pre-plan your journey and ensure the vehicle is in good working condition( if you have your own vehicle).
• Discuss travel plans only with immediate family members.
• Avoid night driving and make less use of flashy cars.
• Stick to major routes and avoid lonely routes with bad roads and poor visibility.
• If you suspect a vehicle trailing you on the road, drive to the nearest Police station or public place where help is near.
• Do not give ride to strangers, including persons dressed in uniforms, as they may be criminals in disguise(this is a new plot by kidnappers/thieves).
• Do not hitch-hike vehicles driven by strangers.
• Be aware of techniques used by criminals to force unsuspecting victims to stop e.g throwing of eggs at the windscreen.
• Watch out for strange persons inside a car or hanging around your gate at your residence.
• Do not sit inside a parked car on a less busy road.
• Do not park your car in unlit areas.

Read tips to stay productive while on commuting here

Note: It is known that motorists are most vulnerable when:

• Waiting for the gate to be opened for them at residences.
• Driving through a terribly bad spot that requires slowing down completely with little chance of escape or when parked on a spot along a less busy road without alighting from the car.

4. Social Outings

• Always let close family members know of your movements (this is very important!).
• For parents/guardians, counsel your children never to leave home without telling you (the same applies to adults).
• Avoid late outings unless it is absolutely necessary, even then, ensure you are accompanied.
• Always take your mobile phone with you, in the event you need it to make emergency calls
• Be aware of the risk posed by large gatherings, as they might constitute attractive targets for violent criminals and terrorists.

Please share these security tips with family, friends and co-workers and pretty much anyone.

Here's to a Safe Festive Season!