Festive season is knocking on our doors and it comes with merry making, rush hours, urgent movement of goods and people for short & long journeys, sales peak time, among other activities.
The above activities combined with others unmentioned triggers anxiety, excitement, high speeding on the roads, over drinking of alcohol, congestion at airports, markets, shops, towns, which all compromises human and personal security, health and safety. In order to come out of this festive session unhurt, without losing properties and other valuables, a set of secure and safe practices ought to be followed.
What are the common drivers of crime during festive season?
Over drinking
Drinking alcohol and driving
Carrying of physical huge amounts of money
Driving for long hours without a break/breaks
Last minute shopping
Leaving urban homes un attended
Use of weak locking equipment’s on homes, shops, factories and commercial stores
Un regulated night movements
The mentioned above are among the crime drivers. One can be a criminal while the other a victim of criminal activities. Whichever side one belongs, it compromises ones heathy, safety and security. It is important that you do not belong to any side. Be a peace ambassador and it is possible.
Home security.
This is critical and a few interventions can be deployed to relatively secure our homes especially urban homes where insecurity is slightly high compared to rural setting. Ensure that there is sufficient security lights, strong locking mechanisms like durable locks, intruder alarms on doors and windows, steel burglarproof, security dogs, armed guard/night watchman, enough yaka units to keep your home lite. Stack away valuables like land titles, academic documents, sale agreements, travel documents etc.
Travel safety.
Police crime records show increased numbers of crush accidents during festive season. This is largely associated with three things, over speeding, driving while on phone, driving while the driver is under influence of alcohol. Whereas some accidents can be attributed to vehicles being in dangerous conditions.
Travel safety demands that we plan for our journeys to avoid over speeding, stop for breaks every after two hours, service the car well on time to make sure that its in good conditions, hire a driver if you are not conversant with driving long journeys, wear seat belts at all times. Wearing of seat belts is not for only the driver and co-driver seat passenger but all passengers in the car. Seat belts minimize impact in case of an accident.
Those travelling outside the city or country, please don’t communicate your plans on social media. You will alert the criminals that your home is free with out any occupant. These crude guys will rob you clean. Share your travel plans with a few trusted inner people.
Avoid last minute shopping.
From 20th Dec to 24th evening, most malls, arcades, markets, shops, supermarkets are jammed to the brim by the shoppers. We all know that Dec 25th of every year is X-mas day. Why would you wait until 23rd Dec to go shopping for children clothes, parents gifts etc. it’s a bad behavior, unfortunate practice and a sign of un-seriousness. The associated effects of last minute shopping include, buying items at high prices, purchasing of fake goods, robbed by bafere/conmen, etc.
Do not carry physical cash.
December of every year is a spending month that is why there a notion that says January is made of 60 days. Most people enter January when they are relatively cashless. Carrying of cash on the body, wallets, handbags, or backpacks is very dangerous. It’s safer to keep money on phone or bank.
Most shops accept mobile money or bankcards payments. It is safer that way. Of course, we have those people who continue to advance an argument of the small bank charges being the reason they would prefer to carry cash. As a risk management profession, I advise everyone to only carry cash under 50kUgx maybe for transport from point to another. Get used to safer ways of securing hard-earned money. Most banks have created e-banking platforms that can be easily accessible and used anywhere in Uganda. Platforms like flexi pay, agent banking can always avail us with cash when needed.
Be aware of the criminals
Situational awareness is key for safety and security. Everyone ought to know his/her surroundings. Most dangerous areas during this festive season include, shopping malls parking, taxi and bus parks, concerts/night clubs, markets, streets, over-night prayer venues etc. Don’t leave valuables like laptops, hand bags, cash, important documents, in the car or anywhere out of your sight. The bad guys are more alert than you. They have laid every trap to make a kill.
Remember, they did not save any money to enjoy in this festive season but they know there is you and me who is reckless with securing our valuables and they will strike at any time. These criminals don’t have any specific looks, dress code, color, ethnic background etc. suspect everything and everyone.
Report any suspicious activity, object, person to police or local authorities.
Whereas police, UPDF, intelligence agencies are there to secure us, its our responsibility as ugandans to report suspicious movements, characters, objects to authorities. Police will not arrest you for reporting. The terrorists are still active, and they normally exploit such seasons because they prefer to hit and hit hard. With wanaichi alert, steady, conscious, terrorists can be deterred, defeated or their activities minimized.
Reporting can be by phone, physically or through a third party. What we ought to know and do is to timely report.
Those that plan larger gatherings ensure security and safety protocols are in place.
Christmas and end year activities involve parties, prayers that attract large crowds. Event managers must ensure that safety and security of their crowds is ensured.
Outsource services of security-police, private security guards to secure your functions. Source for this service well on time so that these security forces can do security assessments on time to enable them deploy effectively both covertly and otherwise.
Carry first aid medicines along.
Sickness doesn’t share schedules with us. It strikes and sometimes in a rush and rough ways. Christmas is associated with huge amounts of different foods and drinks. We tend to eat as if we are from the dead. Too much food and drinks can cause serious stomach upset that can result into vomiting, diahorea, stomach pains etc. over the counter tablets like charcoal, fragile, magnesium can be of assistance. Also carry along paracetamol and any antibiotic that can aid the patient as plans to take to the health facility is being mapped out. Also have a contact of a physician in your phone book for online assistance.
Stay informed through radios, TVs, and social media platforms.
Having timely information aids in decision making. Media updates us on whats happening around us like where accidents have happened, road closures, bridges that have caved in, fire break outs etc.
Business premises security and safety.
Business owners, directors, senior management normally take their vacation during Christmas. It is important that one senior officer is designated to keep in touch with secuirty team on the status of the business premises, warehouses, stores, banks, shops; garages etc. On duty security officer should share 12-hourly situation report with senior manager on duty. Security teams tend to switch off during this period.
They also cave in the crazy of Christmas and forget their cardinal role of securing businesses end to end. IT teams especially for big businesses like banks, airlines; insurance companies must be extremely alert. 30 days of December, always accounts almost 50% of the yearly criminal index.
Ultimately, the holiday season is not about big gatherings, expensive presents or having the biggest turkey on the table. It is about finding meaning, and showing kindness and caring, not only to others but also to ourselves. This is realistic if we maintain peace, security and safety.
Every time you opt to be negligent, reckless, un safe and un secure, remember that there are people that depend on you, love you and your absence may impact on them negatively.
These people include your children. Parents, nieces and nephews that you pay school fees for. I therefore, implore you to be extremely conscious, alert, steady, careful, security mindful so that we meet again on this page next year same time.
My family and I wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year. Do not forget that a day alive is better than a day dead or crippled.
Samson Tinka
tindsam@yahoo.com
Security and safety consultant.
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