Criminologist, security expert and communication consultant, Elcana Jacob/HANDOUT
It is a tradition for Christians to cherish the festive
period as a time of joy and giving, socializing and making new friends and most
importantly, time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
This is followed by the Boxing Day celebrations that lead us to the new year as everyone prepares to usher in an extra 365 days of fortune and unlimited blessings.
However, it is during this period that homes are often left vulnerable more than at any other time of year. Engagements with family and friends, and the distractions of the season provide potential thieves with the perfect opportunity to strike.
The Christmas holiday comes with a lot of festivities that otherwise offer room for criminal gangs to exploit and put the life of innocent citizens in danger. Worldwide, holiday gatherings are naturally exposed to a wide range of security hazards, from minor thefts to more major dangers like illegal entry and disruptions. In this environment, effective event security is critical.
Available statistics show that criminal activity increases during the build-up to Christmas as business and property owners fail to stick to their normal security routine.
When complacency takes over, the risks are high with criminals always ready to pounce. At household level, many homeowners will put presents under the tree in clear view of burglars that are scouting for the perfect target.
In our working places, warehouses and factories that are left unattended are also at risk of criminal activity because they will close up shop for the festive period without placing alternative security measures in place to deter spontaneous or planned crime.
Road safety is also paramount because it is during this period that drivers get tempted to overdo things beyond set regulations- some out of greed.
For those traveling, ensure your vehicle is in good running condition, get plenty of rest and be prepared for any emergency. Use of vehicles on the road has the highest fatality rate of any major form of transportation based on fatalities per passenger mile.
Worldwide, hundreds of people die every year in crashes on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. This can largely be blamed on alcoholism among youths and adoption of bad practices in the name of celebrating.
For those going to the beaches, don’t think you will be operating in a free world because ocean waters kill. When you choose to swim, kindly do it under the surveillance of lifeguards. It is important to note that lifeguards are only on duty at selected beaches with times varying from beach to beach.
For beginners, it is important to check whether there is a lifeguard on duty before entering the water and listen to lifeguards’ advice. If you have any concerns, talk to the lifeguards about the safety of the beach you are visiting, as they can instruct on possible rip tides and currents.
The beach boy can be helpful but some are sex pets out to pounce on suspecting teen girls and naïve women learning to swim. Be careful when your young daughter who is learning to swing starts getting into deep waters with beach boys marauding around her.
Our young people must also be reminded that swimming while intoxicated is incredibly dangerous as you’re more inclined to take risks you normally wouldn’t. You could also pass out or injure yourself and drown. So alcohol at the beach should be left to onlookers and other joyriders not interested in swimming.
In general, our security personnel should not relent in their efforts to checkmate the activities of criminal gangs’ planning to harass and terrorize people.
We also have to be careful with gangs masquerading as street families, roadside beggars, hawkers and pickpockets.
Back at our home and our work places, let us try to invest in high-quality CCTV systems. This is necessary in offering both daytime and night time protection and is a brilliant way to deter criminals from carrying out illegal activity like burglary and vandalism.
Let the government play its role in ensuring everyone’s safety is guaranteed and no one is limited to do whatever they want as long as it is within law.
The government can crack down on illicit brew, nab those engaged in drugs and ensure any kind of celebration respects the rights of those minding their business or doing alternative things.
